Almost half of Sanders' supporters say they won't vote for Clinton


Only 55 percent of Bernie Sanders' supporters say they plan to vote for Hillary Clinton in November, according to a June 14 national poll conducted by Bloomberg Politics. An entire 22 percent of Sanders' supporters said they will vote for Donald Trump in the general election, and another 18 percent said they would back Libertarian Gary Johnson.
Sanders has refrained from endorsing Clinton, and shown no signs of doing so anytime soon. Many of his supporters can't imagine voting for Clinton under any circumstances, as she represents a political establishment they have spent the entire primary season fighting against. "There's zero percent chance that Hillary Clinton could ever get my vote. She's a corporate candidate. I don't vote for corporate candidates. I don't do the lesser of two evils," Perry Mitchell, 31, of Baltimore, told Bloomberg.
Still, Clinton holds a healthy lead on Trump even if she can't convince all of Sanders' supporters to join her side. Eric Brooks, 52, of San Francisco, said he expects Johnson to take most of Sanders' Republican backers so "nobody in this election has to worry about being a spoiler." There is more good news for Clinton supporters, too: Historically, voters tend to drift to their party's candidate regardless of how hostile a primary season gets.
Subscribe to The Week
Escape your echo chamber. Get the facts behind the news, plus analysis from multiple perspectives.

Sign up for The Week's Free Newsletters
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
From our morning news briefing to a weekly Good News Newsletter, get the best of The Week delivered directly to your inbox.
But that is not to dismiss the impact that Sanders putting his weight behind Clinton could have. "I guess an endorsement would probably sway me," Laura Armes, 43, of Beeville, Texas said. Until then, she plans to vote for Trump. Read more choice quotes from Bernie backers at Bloomberg Politics.
Sign up for Today's Best Articles in your inbox
A free daily email with the biggest news stories of the day – and the best features from TheWeek.com
Jeva Lange was the executive editor at TheWeek.com. She formerly served as The Week's deputy editor and culture critic. She is also a contributor to Screen Slate, and her writing has appeared in The New York Daily News, The Awl, Vice, and Gothamist, among other publications. Jeva lives in New York City. Follow her on Twitter.
-
What are AI hallucinations?
The Explainer Artificial intelligence is known for making things up – and that can cause real damage
By Elizabeth Carr-Ellis, The Week UK Published
-
Marine Le Pen: will her conviction fuel the far-right?
Talking Point With National Rally framing their ex-leader as a political martyr, is French court ruling an own goal for democracy?
By Genevieve Bates Published
-
The rise of tiny cocktails
The Week Recommends From mini martinis to 'snaquiris', Gen Z are driving the trend for downsized drinks
By Irenie Forshaw, The Week UK Published
-
Trump axes NSA head, NSC staff after Loomer advice
Speed Read On the recommendation of Laura Loomer, Trump fired the head of the National Security Agency and several National Security Council officials
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump says tariffs 'going very well' as markets fall
speed read US financial markets had their biggest one-day drop since the advent of Covid-19
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Trump rolls out tariffs on virtually all imports
Speed Read On "Liberation Day," Trump announced a 10% baseline tariff on all imports to America and higher reciprocal tariffs for some 60 other countries
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Sen. Booker's 25-hour speech beats Thurmond
Speed Read He spoke for the longest time in recorded Senate history, protesting the Trump administration's policies
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
Bondi seeks death penalty for Luigi Mangione
Speed Read Mangione was charged with fatally shooting UnitedHealthcare CEO Brian Thompson last year
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Democrats win costly Wisconsin court seat
Speed Read Democrats prevailed in an election for the Wisconsin Supreme Court despite Elon Musk's robust financial support of the Republican candidate
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published
-
WHCA rejects White House press seating grab
Speed Read The White House Correspondents' Association objected to the Trump administration's bid to control where journalists sit during press briefings
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US Published
-
Trump sends more migrants to El Salvador jail
Speed Read Another 17 Venezuelan alleged gang members have been deported to a notorious prison
By Peter Weber, The Week US Published