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Posted: 1:22 PM- WASHINGTON -- Sen. Barack Obama has canceled his visit to Utah in advance of the state's presidential primary next Tuesday out of respect for funeral services of LDS Church President Gordon B. Hinckley.
The Illinois Democrat was scheduled to drop by the state for a short appearance in Salt Lake City, but his campaign said Tuesday the visit was off. Because of previously scheduled events, Obama won't be able to make the trek to the state another time but plans to send surrogates to stump for him.
"Last night I spoke with President Thomas Monson and expressed my deepest sympathies to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints on the passing of President Gordon B. Hinckley," Obama said in a statement. Monson is Hinckley's likely successor.
Obama spokesman Andrew Savage said he was unsure who might replace Obama in visiting Utah before Tuesday's primary but to "stay tuned."
"Sen. Obama was looking forward to returning to Utah since his August visit and for the opportunity to meet and talk to the people of Utah again," Savage said. Still, the campaign is "taking Utah's primary very seriously and plans to be very competitive on Tuesday."
Utah's primary comes on what is referred to as Tsunami Tuesday when 22 states hold their presidential contests. The state has 29 Democratic delegates up for grabs.
Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., was also making a full-court press in the state, sending her daughter, Chelsea, to stump for her in Salt Lake City today.
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