SALT LAKE CITY, Utah – Thousands flocked to see Pete Buttigieg in Salt Lake City Monday night, as Democratic presidential candidate took the stage during a town hall.

His appearance in Utah is part of the candidate’s efforts to gain momentum in the weeks leading into Super Tuesday.

Supporters arrived as early as 4 p.m. but weren’t allowed inside the Union Event Center until after 7 p.m. Buttigieg didn’t take the stage until nearly 9 p.m.

His message focused on President Donald Trump. In fact, there was hardly any mention of any of his fellow Democratic contenders.

In the days leading up to the town hall, the former mayor of South Bend, Indiana, received the support from several of Utah’s leaders, including Salt Lake County Mayor Jenny Wilson, District Attorney Sim Gill and, as of Monday night, Salt Lake City Mayor Erin Mendenhall, who introduced Buttigieg.

U.S. Sen. Mitt Romney (R-Utah) was on the short list of names mentioned during the town hall. Buttigieg praised him for his controversial vote at the end of the impeachment trial, prompting an applause from the thousands of people who packed the room. Buttigieg also told the crowd that “God does not belong to a political party,” and he invited “future former Republicans” to join him and his campaign in their fight for the White House.

On the national stage, Buttigieg has shaken things up with his surprise successes in Iowa and New Hampshire. He currently leads the pack of candidates with 22 delegates, just ahead of Sen. Bernie Sanders (D-Vt.) with 21 delegates and far ahead of the rest of the field.

The Buttigieg campaign estimated 4,500 people filled the building.