McCain wins Washington state Republican contest

SEATTLE (Reuters) - Arizona Sen. John McCain won Saturday's Washington state contest to pick a Republican presidential candidate, chalking up another victory in his almost-certain bid to represent the party in the November election, local media projected on Sunday.

McCain's nomination as the Republican presidential candidate was all but assured on Thursday when his chief rival, former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, dropped out of the race. Former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee continues to challenge McCain for the nomination but is running a distant second.