Bernie Sanders Leads New Hampshire Democrats

Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders is leading the 2020 Democratic presidential field in the key primary state of New Hampshire, according to a new Emerson College poll released on Saturday.

The Emerson poll has Sanders, an independent, receiving 27 percent of the vote and Vice President Joe Biden trailing closely behind at 25 percent. Biden has yet to officially declare his candidacy, but is considered likely to run and has already picked up endorsements from other prominent Democrats.

Democratic California Sen. Kamala Harris, received 12 percent of the vote, was the only other Democrat to crack double digits in New Hampshire, according to the Emerson poll.

New Hampshire’s primary is generally the second contest after the Iowa Caucuses, making it an early litmus test for presidential hopefuls.

The poll, the first in New Hampshire since Sanders announced his candidacy on Feb. 19, found that Sanders is the overwhelming favorite of younger primary voters in the state.

Among voters aged 18-34, Sanders received 44 percent of the vote — more than the next four candidates combined.

Emerson sampled 405 registered voters between February 21 and 22 for the primary poll, which has a margin of error of 4.5 percent.

National primary polls have shown Sanders with a consistent lead among declared candidates, though trailing Biden.