Joe Biden Leads Bernie Sanders By 21 Points For First Among 2020 Democratic Candidates

Joe Biden may be the second-oldest 2020 Democratic presidential candidate, but he now substantially leads the crowded field in support among likely voters, according to a new Morning Consult poll.

According to the survey published late Monday, 40 percent of likely Democratic primary voters back Biden for the party’s 2020 presidential nomination, while Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vermont) is far behind in second place with 19 percent support. Sanders, 77, led all 2020 Democratic contenders in fundraising for the first quarter of 2019 with $18.2 million campaign contributions.

The new poll shows Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Massachusetts) is third in voter support with 8 percent, while Sen. Kamala Harris (7 percent) and South Bend, Indiana, Mayor Pete Buttigieg (6 percent) round out the top five.

Biden officially announced his 2020 bid to challenge President Donald Trump in late April after weeks of teasing a run. The 76-year-old former vice president, who has repeatedly blasted Trump for his divisive rhetoric and actions, has also been facing allegations of inappropriate touching by several women who interacted with him over the years.

Biden is widely viewed as a moderate Democrat who can appeal to white working-class voters from swing states like Pennsylvania and Ohio, although young liberals worry he is not progressive enough and have pointed to the damaging roles he has played in his political career, like his actions during Anita Hill‘s congressional testimony in 1991.

SLIDESHOW: TOP DEMOCRATS RUNNING FOR PRESIDENT IN 2020

Since Biden entered the 2020 race, support for Sanders has dropped around 5 percent, Morning Consult reported. Buttigieg, a 37-year-old polyglot who is the youngest presidential contender, also witnessed decreased support since Biden became the 21st candidate to enter the field.

The Morning Consult poll was held from April 29 to May 5 among a pool of 15,770 likely Democratic voters. Its margin of error is of 1 percentage point.

Article by Pablo Mena

Writer for uPolitics.com. NY Giants and Rangers fan. Film and TV enthusiast (especially Harry Potter and The Office) and lover of foreign languages and cultures.