JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. (AP) -- Gov. Matt Blunt says conservative Republicans would be throwing their votes away if they back Mike Huckabee in Missouri's presidential primary.

Blunt is a supporter of Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney.

The Missouri governor told reporters Thursday that if conservatives split their votes between Huckabee and Romney, then the more moderate John McCain likely will win Tuesday's Republican primary.

Although Huckabee won the Iowa caucuses, he has lagged behind McCain and Romney in subsequent primaries. Blunt says Huckabee is out of contention.

He told reporters: "I think everybody really in their heart and mind understands that this is a two-person race, and if you want to have a voice now, you need to cast a vote for one of the two leading candidates."