The latest poll by the University of New Hampshire shows Granite State Democratic voters so far favor Bernie Sanders and Joe Biden for the 2020 Democratic presidential primary.
The Granite State Poll’s results were released on Thursday and show the Vermont senator had the most support out of the Democrats who have announced themselves as 2020 candidates or are expected to do so.
Sanders received 26 percent of the participants’ support in February while the former vice president had 22 percent. Sanders announced his ambitions for the presidential race on Feb. 19 and said he plans to champion the ideals he had during his 2016 presidential run.
However, Biden has not formally announced a run for the presidency. Sources have said he’s spoken with longtime supporters about whether or not the 76-year-old is too old for the position.
Meanwhile, Massachusetts Sen. Elizabeth Warren had seven percent of the participants’ support, according to the Granite State Poll.
When asked which candidate they wouldn’t support under any circumstances, Warren took the lead. About 13 percent of participants said they would not support the Massachusetts senator. Sanders followed in second, with 8 percent.
The poll shows Sanders was considered the second most likable candidate, after Biden. Meanwhile, Warren came in sixth place in that category.
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Nearly half of the Democratic primary voters who participated in the survey believe Sanders is the most progressive candidate in the party. Warren trailed behind with 10 percent of voters believing she’s most progressive.
While extremely early, the results are disappointing for Warren supporters, many of whom were hoping she'd have a stronger start coming from neighboring Massachusetts and with high name recognition.
"I like Elizabeth Warren, but for me right now I'm leaning a little bit more towards Bernie just because I liked his more left-wing approach," said Shaylin Deignan, of Londonderry.
Southern New Hampshire University professor Dean Spiliotes says Warren is progressive, though not as progressive as Sanders. He says she is likable but not as likable as Biden.
"She certainly is going to be in the mix but it's going to be a tough fight here in New Hampshire," said Spiliotes.
Among the three announced Republican candidates, 68 percent of GOP voters in the survey would vote for President Donald Trump.
Former Massachusetts Gov. Bill Weld holds 3 percent of the participants’ support. However, 57 percent of Republican voters are still trying to decide who they will cast their ballot for.
Weld announced on Feb. 15 he formed a presidential exploratory committee.
UNH said 604 New Hampshire adults were randomly selected and interviewed via phone call for the survey between Feb. 18 and Feb. 26. The survey was taken by 240 likely 2020 Democratic primary voters and 218 likely Republican primary voters.
