US election polls: Joe Biden opens up sizable lead over 2020 Democrat rivals despite claims of unwanted touching
Former vice president is nine points ahead of Bernie Sanders
Your support helps us to tell the story
From reproductive rights to climate change to Big Tech, The Independent is on the ground when the story is developing. Whether it's investigating the financials of Elon Musk's pro-Trump PAC or producing our latest documentary, 'The A Word', which shines a light on the American women fighting for reproductive rights, we know how important it is to parse out the facts from the messaging.
At such a critical moment in US history, we need reporters on the ground. Your donation allows us to keep sending journalists to speak to both sides of the story.
The Independent is trusted by Americans across the entire political spectrum. And unlike many other quality news outlets, we choose not to lock Americans out of our reporting and analysis with paywalls. We believe quality journalism should be available to everyone, paid for by those who can afford it.
Your support makes all the difference.Joe Biden has established a sizable lead in polls of Democratic presidential contenders despite allegations of unwanted physical contact with women.
The former vice president had the support of 32 per cent of voters, according to a Morning Consult survey.
He was nine points ahead of Bernie Sanders, who had 23 per cent of support.
It was the first national poll conducted after several women came forward to accuse the 76-year-old Democrat of unwanted touching.
In response, Mr Biden pledged in a video to be “more mindful” of respecting “personal space”.
Mr Biden has said he has “95 per cent” decided to run for the White House for a third time.
He is likely to face questions about his age – at 76 he will be the second oldest candidate after Mr Sanders – and his Senate record, which has been criticised for his authorship of the 1994 crime act that led to increased incarceration rates.
At least four women have come forward to accuse him of uninvited physical contact, including Lucy Flores, a Democrat who served in the Nevada State Assembly, former congressional aide Amy Lappos, Caitlyn Caruso and DJ Hill.
The women claimed he touched them or hugged them in a manner which made them feel uncomfortable.
Mr Biden also appeared to make light of the allegations by twice claiming he “had permission to hug” people he put his arms around on stage.
Donald Trump, who himself has been accused of sexual harassment of assault by around two-dozen women, used the allegations to mock Mr Biden by tweeting a doctored video showing the former vice president appearing to caress his own shoulders.
The Morning Consult poll was conducted between 1 and 7 April and included 13,644 voters.
Kamala Harris came in behind Mr Biden and Mr Sanders at 9 per cent, Beto O’Rourke at 8 per cent and Elizabeth Warren at 7 per cent. They were followed by Pete Buttigieg at 5 per cent, Cory Booker at 4 per cent, then Kirsten Gillibrand and Amy Klobuchar at 2 per cent.
Subscribe to Independent Premium to bookmark this article
Want to bookmark your favourite articles and stories to read or reference later? Start your Independent Premium subscription today.
Join our commenting forum
Join thought-provoking conversations, follow other Independent readers and see their replies
Comments