McCain wins Republican presidential nomination: media

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Arizona Sen. John McCain won the Republican U.S. presidential nomination, U.S. media projected on Tuesday, capturing enough support nationwide to become the party's candidate in the November election.

Going into Tuesday's McCain had been close to winning support from 1,191 delegates to the party's convention this summer -- the number needed for an outright victory. With 265 delegates at stake in Tuesday's voting, McCain won big enough margins in the state elections to put him over the top, media projected.

McCain had been the party's presumptive nominee since his main opponents bowed out of the race, but former Arkansas Gov. Mike Huckabee continued to challenge him even though he trailed badly.