State Rep. Tom Emmer has jumped out to a large lead in his vigorous race with fellow legislator Marty Seifert for the Republican Party endorsement for Minnesota governor.

Delegates to the party’s state convention in Minneapolis gave 53 percent of their first ballots to Emmer and 43 percent to Seifert, with other candidates splitting the rest.

It takes 60 percent of the 1,988 voting delegates to win endorsement.

Republicans were delivering a more binding verdict. The loser vowed to leave the race instead of moving on to an August primary, which will feature a competitive three-way Democratic race.

Gov. Tim Pawlenty is stepping down after two terms.