HOUSTON -- Republican presidential candidate hopeful Mike Huckabee was in Houston Thursday to try to gain votes in what he called a must-win state, KPRC Local 2 reported.

"I think Texas has the chance to say something pretty loud," Huckabee said.

He told supporters at the Renaissance Hotel in southwest Houston that his conservative views are just what the country needs to get back on track.

The former Arkansas governor said that he can still win, even though some have written him off.

"It would seems to me just a little bit disingenuous to say the Republican voter is going to make up it's mind before it gets to the most Republican state in this country, the one with the most Republican voters," Huckabee said.

Kathleen Wright made the speech a family affair. She brought her five children to the rally to hear the man she said would help people achieve their dreams.

"He is pro-life. He supports the Constitution as it stands," she said. "We support Mike Huckabee because he's what this country was founded on. Everyone else is just old-hat Washington, D.C., and we're tired of that."

Huckabee said Texas is a must-win state for him.

"You'll send a very clear message that this is a party that will stick to its principles, that wants to make sure that we do not move away from the reasons that many people became Republicans and also the reasons that caused Republicans to win in election after election," he said.

Huckabee prides himself on outlasting competitors including Mitt Romney and Rudy Giuliani.

"Mike Huckabee was the one who really stood out for conservative values, especially that faith in family part," supporter Brett Bortnem said. "That was most important to me."

"A lot of people think that the race is over for Mike," supporter Katherine Wartel said. "It is not over, so it's important for him to know that his supporters are still here and we're going to fight the fight and go forth, and he's going to win this year."

Huckabee said he believes Sen. John McCain in his denial of an inappropriate relationship with a lobbyist, as reported by the New York Times.

"You know, I’ve campaigned on the same stage and platform with John McCain for 14 months, and I only know him to be a man of integrity. Today he denied that any of that is true. I take him at his word. I have no further comment other than that," Huckabee said.

Huckabee has won eight states.