LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (AP) _ Mike Huckabee says Republican voters aren't ready to hand John McCain the party's nomination for president.

Despite McCain winning primaries in Virginia, Maryland and Washington, D.C., Huckabee says there is still a "sense in the Republican Party to have a choice."

Huckabee, who had a strong showing in Virginia, is still third in the delegate count. Former Massachusetts governor Mitt Romney is second despite suspending his campaign last week.

Huckabee says he called McCain Tuesday night to congratulate him, and says McCain did not ask him to step aside and clear a way to the nomination.

Huckabee says he will continue to campaign until McCain reaches the 1,191 delegates needed to clinch the nomination.