Ahead of the 4th Democratic Primary, Sanders Closely Chases Joe Biden in His Stronghold

Joe Biden 27%, Sanders 23% in South Carolina Poll
Close Race in Biden's Stronghold... Sanders' Momentum Rises

[Image source=Reuters Yonhap News]

[Asia Economy Reporter Minwoo Lee] In a preliminary poll conducted ahead of the South Carolina Democratic presidential primary, the fourth contest in the U.S. Democratic presidential nomination race, former Vice President Joe Biden took the lead. However, Senator Bernie Sanders also showed strong performance in Biden's stronghold, signaling a fierce competition ahead.

On the 24th (local time), NBC News reported that Marist Poll surveyed 539 Democratic voters in South Carolina from the 18th to the 21st (local time) with a margin of error of ±6%, resulting in former Vice President Biden at 27% and Senator Sanders at 23%.

Billionaire Tom Steyer followed with 15%, former South Bend, Indiana Mayor Pete Buttigieg at 9%, Senator Elizabeth Warren at 8%, and Senator Amy Klobuchar at 5%.

Senator Sanders, who had won the previous three primaries in Iowa, New Hampshire, and Nevada, also showed high support in South Carolina, which was considered Biden's stronghold. South Carolina, a Democratic stronghold, has a majority of Black voters.

In a survey conducted by CBS News and YouGov from the 20th to the 22nd with 2,000 respondents in the area (margin of error ±1.2%), former Vice President Biden was also first with 28%. However, Senator Sanders and Steyer were close behind with 23% and 18%, respectively.

Meanwhile, another poll by Public Policy Polling conducted from the 23rd to the 24th with 866 Democratic voters (margin of error ±3.3%) showed former Vice President Biden at 36%, significantly ahead of Senator Sanders, who had 21%. Senator Warren followed with 8%, former Mayor Buttigieg and Steyer each at 7%, Representative Tulsi Gabbard at 6%, and Senator Klobuchar at 3%.

Meanwhile, former New York City Mayor Michael Bloomberg, who is rapidly emerging as a strong contender, is expected to join the race starting with the 'Super Tuesday' primaries on March 3rd.