SALT LAKE CITY (AP):

Some of Utah's top Republicans urged their fellow conservatives yesterday to unite around Donald Trump as the billionaire candidate's lead falls in the solidly red state.

Senator Orrin Hatch, Representatives Rob Bishop and Chris Stewart, and others spoke at a rally inside Utah's Capital attended by about 150 supporters decked out with Trump campaign signs, shirts, and stickers.

Hatch said Trump "doesn't take any crap from anybody," and "he's exactly what we need".

Stewart, who earlier this year called Trump "our Mussolini" and denounced Trump's vulgar comments about women, said that when he received his ballot, he wasn't immediately ready to cast his vote for Trump.

But now, Stewart said, "It's time for Republicans to come home" and support the party's nominee. That echoes comments made last week by Trump's running mate Mike Pence at a rally in Utah.

Trump has been unpopular with many Utah Republicans and Mormons who've been turned off by the billionaire's brash demeanour and comments about women, minorities, Muslims and more.