Iowa’s 2020 polls are all over the map. But in SC, one candidate has a strong lead | The State

In other early-state polling, 2020 Democratic presidential hopefuls have jockeyed for the first and second spot, making it difficult to identify a clear front-runner.

But in South Carolina, home to the country’s “First in the South” primary, former Vice President Joe Biden still has a strong hold on his lead even as fewer than 35 days remain until the primary, according to a new poll by a Biden-backing super PAC provided to The State.

The poll, conducted by research and data firm GQR for Unite the Country, puts Biden’s statewide support at 44% — split 53% among black voters and 29% among white voters — which is higher than a Fox News poll out earlier this month that put Biden’s support at 36%.

In second place, according to the poll, is U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders of Vermont with 15% support statewide, followed by California billionaire Tom Steyer at 12%.

“South Carolina is Joe Biden’s home,” said Amanda Loveday, a senior adviser to Unite the Country and a former S.C. Democratic Party executive director. “It just confirms that Joe Biden has a large contingent support in the African American community, which helps him in Nevada and significantly helps him in Super Tuesday (states)“ who vote after South Carolina, including Georgia and North Carolina.

The poll, in the field from Jan. 9-13, surveyed 600 likely Democratic primary voters in South Carolina, split nearly evenly between white and non-white respondents. The poll has a margin of error of plus or minus 4 percentage points.

Though his lead has gone up and down, Biden has maintained a double-digit advantage in all but one of 20 polls of the state’s Democratic presidential primary, according to Real Clear Politics.

According to S.C. primary voters, his appeal in the Palmetto State stems from his relationship with the state over the years. His visits to the state have included speaking engagements at funerals, the naming of a library, and helping candidates campaign for elected office.

Voters also note his close work and personal relationship with former President Barack Obama as the reason they are backing him.

The poll also found:

▪ 84% of Democratic primary voters said Biden is the “best candidate to unite the country,”

▪ 81% said he has the right health care plan and

▪ Nearly 90% polled said he can “keep the country safe.”

In a recent sit-down with The State, Biden argued he is the best candidate to help down-ballot races in South Carolina and elsewhere.

“You have to be able to be a helpful candidate and the top of the ticket matters as you all know in South Carolina,” Biden told The State. “I’m just asking the rhetorical question: Bernie’s the top of the ticket in North, in South Carolina or Warren’s the top of the ticket. How many Democrats down the line you think are gonna win?”

For Biden, South Carolina is a unique place, Loveday said, adding Biden’s support is “rampant” in every demographic.

However, one small demographic — younger voters — prefers another candidate to Biden.

In the 18 to 39 age range, Biden finished second to Sanders in the poll, but he finished first when slightly older voters, 18 to 49, were included.

Biden has long defended himself against questions that ask why he isn’t polling better with younger voters.

In a separate interview with The State in September, he said he hadn’t seen anything to suggest people between the ages of 18 and 25 are not enthusiastic about his candidacy.

“I like this ... mythical notion you all have, coming out of the 2016 campaign that the young have moved so far, when the fact of the matter is that they are the most informed, best educated, least prejudiced and most productive group of people who have ever graduated from school,” Biden told The State.

Loveday told The State no one is taking South Carolina for granted despite the poll numbers.

“It ... shows that people who know Joe Biden well support him, and that’s what he has tried to do in Iowa, trying to get folks to know him as a candidate the way” that South Carolinians do.

Biden PAC poll breakdown

▪ Biden — 44% statewide; 53%: black voters; 29%: white voters

▪ Sanders — 15% statewide; 13%: black voters; 18%: white voters

▪ Steyer — 12% statewide; 14%: black voters; 8%: white voters

▪ Warren — 10% statewide; 9%: black voters; 11%: white voters

▪ Buttigieg — 5% statewide; 1%: black voters; 11%: white voters

Maayan Schechter

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Maayan Schechter (My-yahn Schek-ter) covers the S.C. State House and politics for The State. She grew up in Atlanta, Ga. and graduated from the University of North Carolina-Asheville. She has previously worked at the Aiken Standard and the Greenville News.