The move could bolster a recent effort by the Democratic nominee to build support among Utah’s religious community. | AP Photo Clinton opens campaign HQ in Utah

Hillary Clinton is setting up shop in once-hostile territory, threatening to mount a renewed push for deep-red Utah, a state no Democrat has won in the past half-century.

The Clinton campaign announced Monday the opening of their first general election office in Salt Lake City, bolstering a recent effort by the Democratic nominee to build support among Utah’s religious community.


In an Aug. 10 op-ed for Utah's Deseret News, the former secretary of state touted her devotion to religious values and tolerance, writing she considered religious freedom to be “one of the sacred ideals that defines us as a nation.”

The aggressive measure in usually safe grounds for Republican candidates is emblematic of the campaign’s recent approach, which has been increasingly targeting traditionally conservative states such as Arizona and Georgia. Vice Presidential nominee Tim Kaine had aided by holding rallies in various GOP stronghold states.

The overtures have sent the Donald Trump campaign on the defensive.

The move seemingly demonstrates mounting confidence from a campaign that was beaten badly in the same state by Democratic primary challenger Bernie Sanders. Clinton had previously announced similar plans to set up primary campaign headquarters in the state before losing ground against Sanders.

The last Democrat to win the Beehive state was Lyndon Johnson in 1964. President Barack Obama was defeated by John McCain and Mitt Romney by wide margins in his 2008 and 2012 bids for the state. In 1992, Bill Clinton actually finished third in the state, behind President George H.W. Bush and Ross Perot.

The opening of the Utah campaign headquarters will take place Tuesday and is to feature an appearance from Clinton senior policy adviser Jake Sullivan.