Reuters/Ipsos Data: Democratic Presidential Candidates (02/27/2019)

Washington, D.C. - Ipsos, in partnership with Thomson Reuters, is continuing its analysis of Americans' perceptions of the Democrats who have announced their intention to run for the presidency in 2020. We added several candidates to the list in February, including Tulsi Gabbard, John Hickenlooper, Steve Bullock, Jay Inslee, and Terry McAuliffe. Overall, in the past month, perceptions of the candidates have remained stable, but a few candidates are more well-known than they were earlier in the year.  

Among the women running, Massachusetts Senator Elizabeth Warren is the now the most well-known candidate by an 18-point margin, with 56% of Americans reporting they are familiar with her - a seven-point jump from January (49%). Forty-seven percent of Americans view Warren favorably, which is statistically unchanged since January. Democrats also report an increase in familiarity with Warren - 65% report being very or somewhat familiar with her, up eight points since January. Warren's favorability numbers remain stable among Democrats (73%). California Senator Kamala Harris is known by 38% of Americans and 47% of Democrats, up four and five points respectively since last month. Just over half of Americans (51%) and three-quarters of Democrats (78%) view Harris favorably. Hawaii Representative Tulsi Gabbard is the newest female candidate in the Reuter/Ipsos poll. Just 16% of Americans and 21% of Democrats are familiar with Gabbard, and 45% of Americans and 58% of Democrats view her favorably.

Americans are most familiar with Senator Bernie Sanders (80%) and former Vice President Joe Biden (80%). Biden (62%) and Sanders (57%) also have the strongest favorability numbers among all Americans, however, Sanders numbers have slipped four points since January (61%). Democrats are also most familiar with Biden (86%) and Sanders (86%) and most view them favorably (87% and 85% respectively). Pete Buttigieg is the least well-know of the men running, with just 12% of Americans and 15% of Democrats reporting they are familiar with him. Among those who know him, 42% of Americans and 55% of Democrats view Buttigieg favorably. 

About this Study

These are findings from an Ipsos poll conducted for Thomson Reuters between February 4-10, 2019, February 12-18, 2019 and February 19-25, 2019. For the February 4-10, 2019 survey, 2,291 adults ages 18+ were interviewed online in English.  For the February 12-18, 2019, 2019 survey, 3,156 adults ages 18+ were interviewed online in English. For the February 19-25, 2019, 2019 survey, 3,534 adults ages 18+ were interviewed online in English. The precision of the Reuters/Ipsos online polls is measured using a credibility interval. In this case, each poll has a credibility interval of between plus or minus 1.9 points and 2.3 points. For more information about credibility intervals, please see the appendix.

The data were weighted to the U.S. current population data by gender, age, education, and ethnicity. Statistical margins of error are not applicable to online polls. All sample surveys and polls may be subject to other sources of error, including, but not limited to coverage error and measurement error. Figures marked by an asterisk (*) indicate a percentage value of greater than zero but less than one half of one per cent. Where figures do not sum to 100, this is due to the effects of rounding. To see more information on this and other Reuters/Ipsos polls, please visit http://polling.reuters.com/.

For more information on this news release please contact:

Chris Jackson
Vice President, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
202.420.2011
[email protected]

Annaleise Lohr
Senior Account Manager, U.S.
Ipsos Public Affairs
[email protected]

About Ipsos Public Affairs

Ipsos Public Affairs is a non-partisan, objective, survey-based research practice made up of seasoned professionals. We conduct strategic research initiatives for a diverse number of American and international organizations, based not only on public opinion research, but elite stakeholder, corporate, and media opinion research.

Ipsos has media partnerships with the most prestigious news organizations around the world. In Canada, the U.S., UK, and internationally, Ipsos Public Affairs is the media polling supplier to Reuters News, the world's leading source of intelligent information for businesses and professionals. Ipsos Public Affairs is a member of the Ipsos Group, a leading global survey-based market research company. We provide boutique-style customer service and work closely with our clients, while also undertaking global research.

About Ipsos

Ipsos is an independent market research company controlled and managed by research professionals. Founded in France in 1975, Ipsos has grown into a worldwide research group with a strong presence in all key markets. Ipsos ranks fourth in the global research industry.

With offices in 89 countries, Ipsos delivers insightful expertise across five research specializations: brand, advertising and media; customer loyalty; marketing; public affairs research; and survey management.

Ipsos researchers assess market potential and interpret market trends. They develop and build brands. They help clients build long-term relationships with their customers. They test advertising and study audience responses to various media and they measure public opinion around the globe.

Ipsos has been listed on the Paris Stock Exchange since 1999 and generated global revenues of €1,780.5 million in 2017.