(NECN: Worcester, Mass.) - Gubernatorial candidate Charlie Baker and running mate Richard Tisei earned the endorsement of the Massachusetts Republican Party by an impressive 89- to 11-percent margin at its convention in Worcester.
Saturday's vote -- 2,544 to 318 votes -- gives Baker and Tisei the nod over businessman Christy Mihos.
"No candidate in modern Republican Convention history has trounced his opponent like this," Baker-Tisei Convention Chair and House Minority Leader Brad Jones said Saturday. "It was a wipeout."
Mihos needed 15-percent of the vote to be on a primary ballot in September.
Former GOP gubernatorial nominee Kerry Healy said Mihos lost votes for "leaving the party" in 2006 to run against her and then-Democratic candidate Deval Patrick. Mihos said he would not enter this current race as an Independent.
Politics
"To receive the endorsement of the Republican Party is truly an honor," said Baker. "As I have campaigned across Massachusetts, a consistent theme has been apparent, people are extremely worried about out-of-control spending from the insiders running Beacon Hill. Today marks the start of change."
Also receiving endorsements at the convention were state Rep. Karyn Polito for state treasurer, Mary Connaughton for auditor and William Campbell for secretary of the commonwealth.
State Treasurer Timothy Cahill (I) was also at the convention, trying to secure some Republican support for his bid for governor.
Baker and Tisei next bring their campaign battle to incumbent Gov. Deval Patrick (D) and Lieutenant Governor Timothy Murray (D). Gov. Patrick officially announced his run for re-election last weekend.
