Sen. Bernard Sanders is within 2 points of likely Democratic presidential nominee Hillary Clinton in California, according to a pair of polls released less than a week before the June 7 primary.
Mrs. Clinton led Mr. Sanders by a 49 percent to 47 percent margin among likely primary voters in the state, according to the NBC News/Wall Street Journal/Marist poll.
Mr. Sanders was actually ahead by 1 point — 48 percent to 47 percent — when the voter poll was expanded to the broader potential Democratic electorate in the state.
Mrs. Clinton led among likely voters ages 45 and older, self-identified Democrats, women, past Democratic primary voters, and whites.
Mr. Sanders led among first-time participants, independents, people younger than 45, men, and Latinos.
A separate Field poll also put Mrs. Clinton up 2 points over Mr. Sanders, 45 percent to 43 percent — down from an 11-point Clinton lead in January and a 6-point lead in April.
California is the big prize among a handful of states that vote June 7. A Sanders win there could embolden him to stay in the race through the Democratic convention in July, despite trailing Mrs. Clinton among both pledged delegates and superdelegates.
• David Sherfinski can be reached at dsherfinski@washingtontimes.com.
Please read our comment policy before commenting.