Poll: Sanders leads, Biden gains in New Hampshire

Sen. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) is leading the pack of Democratic presidential hopefuls in New Hampshire, but former Vice President Joe BidenJoe BidenHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Trump finalizing executive order calling on police to use ‘force with compassion’ The Hill’s Campaign Report: Biden campaign goes on offensive against Facebook MORE is gaining on him, according to a Boston Globe–Suffolk University poll released Tuesday.

The survey shows Sanders in the No. 1 spot with 16.4 percent support among likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire, holding steady since the same poll was conducted in November. Biden, meanwhile, placed second with 14.8 percent support — a 2.6-point gain since the November survey, which put him in a close fourth place. 

Former South Bend, Ind., Mayor Pete ButtigiegPete ButtigiegScaled-back Pride Month poses challenges for fundraising, outreach Biden hopes to pick VP by Aug. 1 It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process MORE notched 12.2 percent in the most recent New Hampshire poll, while Sen. Elizabeth WarrenElizabeth WarrenWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases OVERNIGHT DEFENSE: Joint Chiefs chairman says he regrets participating in Trump photo-op | GOP senators back Joint Chiefs chairman who voiced regret over Trump photo-op | Senate panel approves 0B defense policy bill Trump on collision course with Congress over bases with Confederate names MORE (D-Mass.) fell into fourth place with 9.8 percent support. 

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No other candidate registered in double digits. Former tech executive Andrew YangAndrew YangGeorge Floyd protests show corporations must support racial and economic equality Andrew Yang discusses his universal basic income pilot program Andrew Yang on the George Floyd protests in Minneapolis MORE finished in fifth, with 5.6 percent support, while Rep. Tulsi GabbardTulsi GabbardGabbard drops defamation lawsuit against Clinton It’s as if a Trump operative infiltrated the Democratic primary process 125 lawmakers urge Trump administration to support National Guard troops amid pandemic MORE (D-Hawaii) and Sen. Amy KlobucharAmy KlobucharHillicon Valley: Biden calls on Facebook to change political speech rules | Dems demand hearings after Georgia election chaos | Microsoft stops selling facial recognition tech to police Democrats demand Republican leaders examine election challenges after Georgia voting chaos Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk MORE (D-Minn.) notched 5.4 percent and 4.6 percent, respectively. 

The poll suggests that, just two weeks ahead of the New Hampshire primaries, the Democratic presidential race in the state remains fluid, with each of the top four candidates scoring within the survey’s 4.4-point margin of error.

At the same time, nearly a quarter of respondents — 23.8 percent — said they were still undecided about whom they would vote for. And nearly half of respondents — 47.5 percent — said there is still a chance that they change their mind before the primary.

New Hampshire may carry particular weight for Sanders. He represents Vermont in the Senate, giving him something of a neighbor status in New Hampshire. And he won the Granite State primary in 2016, besting former Secretary of State Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE after his defeat in the Iowa caucuses.

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But a strong performance in New Hampshire is also key for Warren, who, like Sanders, hails from a neighboring state.

Buttigieg was the candidate most frequently cited as voters’ second choice in the primary, with nearly 15 percent saying they would choose him if not for their No. 1 preference. Warren narrowly trailed him in that category, taking nearly 14 percent. Sanders and Biden took 12 percent and 10 percent, respectively.

The poll surveyed 500 likely Democratic primary voters in New Hampshire from Jan. 15 to 19. It has a margin of error of plus or minus 4.4 percentage points.