McCain, criticized by some as not being conservative enough, carried the conservative vote in Maryland, CNN reported.

Mike Huckabee, the former Arkansas governor and Baptist minister, was the overwhelming favorite of the conservative wing in rural Virginia, while McCain won in the state's metro areas, exiting polls indicated.

Appearing in Little Rock, Ark., Huckabee said his showing in Virginia reinforced his decision to remain in the race despite McCain's huge lead in the delegate count to become the party's presidential nominee, The Washington Post (NYSE:WPO) reported.

McCain has a 812-to-217 lead over Huckabee in the delegate count by CNN's estimate. To be the Republican nominee for president a candidate needs 1,191 delegates.

"It shows there's still a real sense in the Republican Party, a desire to have a choice, a desire to make sure voters who want a solid conservative, absolutely pro-life candidate still exist," Huckabee said.

McCain saluted Huckabee then discussed a general election campaign, saying he would offer "a better understanding of the challenges we face" than either U.S. Sen. Barack Obama, D-Ill., or Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., the Democratic presidential hopefuls.