Using his advantage as an established candidate over [Kerry Murphy Healey]'s status as an unknown, Rappaport beat Healey by a vote of 55-45 percent, but [Romney] continued to distance himself from Rappaport while trying to build support for Healey. Because both candidates easily surpassed the 15 percent threshold, they will both appear on the September GOP primary ballot.

Still, the heavy hands of GOP leaders clearly tried to help steer delegates to Healey. [Jane Swift]'s speech, which led off the convention, mentioned the Romney-Healey team as "a winning ticket for Massachusetts," and Guerreiro formally nominated Healey for lieutenant governor. Because Healey was chairman of the state party until Tuesday, her name appeared on every delegate credential, and a letter from her ran in the convention program.

Romney, however, gave a clear signal about his feelings toward Rappaport. Even as signs touting a Romney-Rappaport campaign sprung up from Rappaport supporters, Romney left the convention early, breaking the tradition of having the party's endorsed candidates appear together.