As Republican gubernatorial designee Rick Lazio continued his victory lap Thursday at the state Republican convention, fellow Republican candidate Carl Paladino was trying to block him with a baseball bat.

The Buffalo businessman announced that he will attempt to collect the 15,000 signatures needed to get on the Republican ballot line and challenge Lazio to a primary this fall.

"Today the real fight for reform begins," Paladino said. "This battle will show Republicans a man complicit with Andrew Cuomo's most serious error, mistakes that cost American trillions of dollars, and nearly tanked the world's economy. He cannot be the Republican to reveal those errors to New Yorkers. I'm the only Republican who should be the next governor of New York. And I intend to be."

Paladino's announcement came a day after he only earned 7.5 percent failed to gather enough support to become the party's designee for governor. Lazio won that title and said today he is not worried about a primary challenge.

"I have come out of this convention with a broad base of strength. We're unified, we're together, we're energized," said Lazio.

Paladino's continued candidacy highlights divisions among state Republicans, as some party leaders are supporting Paladino's push to get on the ballot. His backers from Erie County say they are ready to fight for him.

"Even though Rick has become the nominee of the party, Erie County is going to stand with Carl Paladino," said Erie County Republican Chairman Nick Langworthy.

Paladino is closely aligned with the Tea Party movement and will petition to create a Tea Party-oriented line. The Buffalo millionaire says he will spend about $500,000 to do so.

In total, he has committed to spend $10 million on the race.

Political observer Lee Miringoff of Marist College said Paladino's tough talk and fortune could siphon votes away from Lazio.

"I think it's a major distraction and possibly a very serious threat to Rick Lazio," said Miringoff.

A number of Republicans are calling on Paladino to end his campaign.

"We have 152 days to win this election. I want to spend all that time campaigning against the Democrats, not campaigning against each other," said Long Island Congressman Peter King.

On Thursday, Paladino took a number of shots at Republican Party Chairman Ed Cox, who has been pressuring him to drop his run. He also criticized Lazio and Democratic gubernatorial candidate Andrew Cuomo, who he claims are closely linked.

Other Republicans think a primary would help the party in a year when voters want change, but they are just not sure which candidate has the ability to deliver it.

"Clearly Paladino is 'change.' I don't know if he can do what he wants to do. It's tough," said Jim Schlick of the Wyoming County Republican Party. "Can you see him and [Assembly Speaker] Sheldon Silver in a room negotiating?He's standing there with his baseball bat."

Earlier in the day, Republicans designated Chautauqua County Executive Greg Edwards to be Lazio's running mate. He will be on the ballot as lieutenant governor.

Meanwhile, the Republican convention delegates in Midtown voted for attorney Bruce Blakeman to face off against financial advisor David Malpass in the Republican primary for the U.S. Senate seat currently held by Kirsten Gillibrand.

Blakeman was named the Republican Party's designee after receiving 51 percent of the votes in the second round of voting.

"People want change, not the kind of change that was promised to us in the last election, but they want affordability, responsibility, accountability – the principles of the Republican Party,” Blakeman said.

Malpass's support in the first and second-round voting qualified him for the primary ballot.

The primary will be held on September 14.

The first round of voting ended with no candidate receiving more than 50 percent of the vote, forcing a second round.

Former Congressman Joe DioGuardi received less than 25 percent of the vote and therefore will not be on the ballot as a Republican. He said he will try to petition his way onto the ballot.

On Tuesday, delegates selected former CIA agent Gary Bernsten to challenge Charles Schumer, New York's senior senator.