Democratic presidential front-runner Hillary Clinton continues to dominate in Iowa, despite growing controversy over her use of a private email account and Vice President Joe Biden’s potential entrance into the race, according to a new poll of Democrats in the state that holds the first presidential nominating contest.
If the election were held today, Clinton would win 54% of caucus-goers, according to a new Suffolk University poll released Tuesday. Vermont Sen. Bernie Sanders trails with 20% support, followed by Biden, who has not yet decided on a run, at 11%. In fourth is former Maryland Gov. Martin O’Malley, at 4%, followed by former Virginia Sen. Jim Webb and former Rhode Island Gov. Lincoln Chafee, who are both around 1%.
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But it’s not all good news for Clinton. The poll also found that half – 52% — of Iowa Democrats think the controversy over Clinton’s email server will hurt her if she makes it to the general election. Clinton has come under fire for using a private email account while serving as secretary of state. The FBI is currently looking into the security of Clinton’s private email server.
The email issue was also one of the top reasons given by Democrats for not supporting Clinton, along with “untrustworthiness/dishonesty.” And even though she was far more popular than Sanders, more Iowa Democrats said Sanders was honest and trustworthy than Clinton. About 32% said Sanders was the most honest, while 29% picked Clinton.
But the damage may be limited to those who don’t support Clinton, as 70% of those polled said the email issue did not bother them. The poll comes as Clinton has seen her support erode in light of the email controversy, especially in New Hampshire, which neighbors Sanders’ home state of Vermont. Meanwhile, the poll also found dramatic support among Iowa Democrats for raising the minimum wage to $15 or above, something to which Clinton has not yet committed. Fully 85% said they supported raising the wage to $15, while 54% also said they like to see the wage raised to $17.50.
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