3 big takeaways from a new California Democratic primary poll


California might just dismantle the 2020 race as we know it.
On Thursday, the Los Angeles Times published the results of a UC Berkeley Institute of Governmental Studies poll surveying registered voters on Democratic presidential contenders. Its results aren't too different from preceding polls', but these three big takeaways show just how groundbreaking it still is.
1. Bad news for Biden. Sure, former Vice President Joe Biden earned the most support of any 2020 Democrat in California, coming in at 22 percent. But he's just four points ahead of Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.), putting him very close to the three percent margin of error for this poll and proving his seemingly far-flung lead is within striking distance, at least in one state.
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.
2. Warren on the rise. Speaking of Warren, this is the second consecutive poll where she's managed to pull into second place over Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.). She earns 18 percent support to Sanders' 17 percent. And when voters' first and second choices in this poll are combined, Warren scores the highest at 35 percent to Biden's 34 and Sanders' 29.
3. Harris' hopes are fading. Sen. Kamala Harris (D-Calif.) has had a mid-tier showing throughout the presidential race, and her home state's poll shows nothing different. She comes in fourth with 13 percent support, but does rise up to tie with Biden at 34 percent when first- and second-choice votes are combined. "Harris needs strong support in her home state’s primary if she is to have a shot at the party’s presidential nomination," the Los Angeles Times writes, indicating that things aren't looking too good.
UC Berkeley surveyed 4,435 registered voters from June 4-10, and 2,131 of them are considered likely voters. Interviews were conducted via email in English and Spanish with a sampling error of three percent.
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
Kathryn is a graduate of Syracuse University, with degrees in magazine journalism and information technology, along with hours to earn another degree after working at SU's independent paper The Daily Orange. She's currently recovering from a horse addiction while living in New York City, and likes to share her extremely dry sense of humor on Twitter.
-
Ukraine-Russia: is peace deal possible after Easter truce?
Today's Big Question 'Decisive week' will tell if Putin's surprise move was cynical PR stunt or genuine step towards ending war
By The Week UK
-
The bougie foods causing international shortages
In the Spotlight Pistachios join avocados and matcha on list of social media-driven crazes that put strain on supply chains and environment
By Harriet Marsden, The Week UK
-
Strep infections are rising in the US
Under the radar The cases have more than doubled in 10 years
By Devika Rao, The Week US
-
Hegseth reportedly shared war plans in 2nd group text
Speed Read The defense secretary sent information about an attack in Yemen to a Signal group chat that included his wife and brother
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Judge threatens Trump team with criminal contempt
Speed Read James Boasberg attempts to hold the White House accountable for disregarding court orders over El Salvador deportation flights
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Biden slams Trump's Social Security cuts
Speed Read In his first major public address since leaving office, Biden criticized the Trump administration's 'damage' and 'destruction'
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
El Salvador refuses to return US deportee
Speed Read President Nayib Bukele of El Salvador said he would not send back the unlawfully deported Kilmar Ábrego García
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Trump says electronics tariff break won't last
Speed Read The tariff exemptions on smartphones, laptops and other electronic devices are temporary, the administration says
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
Man charged in arson attack on Pennsylvania's Shapiro
Speed Read Governor Josh Shapiro and his family were sleeping when someone set fire to his Harrisburg mansion
By Peter Weber, The Week US
-
White House pushes for oversight of Columbia University
Speed Read The Trump administration is considering placing the school under a consent decree
By Rafi Schwartz, The Week US
-
Supreme Court backs wrongly deported migrant
Speed Read The Trump administration must 'facilitate' the return of wrongfully deported migrant Kilmar Ábrego García from El Salvador, Supreme Court says
By Peter Weber, The Week US