To uphold as a candidate. Obsolete.
1813. Brother William was held up for Congress, and, owing to a coalition of the Clintonians and Feds, lost his election by about 200 votes.—W. Irving, ‘Life and Letters’ (1864), i. 293. (N.E.D.)
1816. Is he in Congress, or do you intend to hold him up as Governour of the State?—Mass. Spy, Feb. 21: from the Wilkes-Barre Gleaner.
