Gov. Jack Markell (D) has been a speaking surrogate around the country for Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in recent days.
Last week, Markell made a stop in Salt Lake City to meet with Clinton supporters and host an economic development roundtable, according to the Salt Lake Tribune.
In an interview with the newspaper, Markell said he was “intrigued” by a request from the campaign to go to traditionally Republican Utah, but that it signaled a possible opening for Democrats.
His talk also focused on bashing GOP contender Donald Trump, calling him “incredibly divisive” and that his call to ban foreign Muslims from entering the U.S. was “a real betrayal of American values,” the Salt Lake Tribune reported.
Utah last went blue in 1964 for Lyndon Johnson. While its majority Mormon population hasn’t fully embraced Trump, a recent state poll found he has a 15-point lead over Clinton.
Markell also took a trip to Ohio and will go to New Hampshire – both swing states that could widen an electoral victory for Clinton or play a critical role in carving out a win for Trump.