Sanders Within Reach of Big Upset Over Clinton in California Primary

Former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton holds a 45 percent to 43 percent edge over Bernie Sanders, according to a poll by Field Research.

WASHINGTON (Sputnik) — US presidential hopeful Bernie Sanders has reached a crucial threshold in his quest to hit rival candidate Hillary Clinton with an important defeat in the largest US state — California — according to a poll by Field Research released on Thursday.

With a busy weekend of campaigning prior to Tuesday’s vote approaching, Sanders trails former Secretary of State Clinton by just two percentage points — well within the survey’s statistical margin of error.

"While it is a truism that turnout is a key factor in determining who will win any close election, it is especially true in this race," a press release with the poll explained. "The widest differences are generational, with Sanders the overwhelming choice of voters under age 30 and Clinton preferred by a two-to-one margin among Democratic primary voters age 65 or older."

According to the survey, Clinton holds a 45 percent to 43 percent edge over Sanders.

Even if Clinton loses, however, the California vote will likely give her enough delegates to secure the Democratic presidential nomination at the party’s upcoming national convention in July.

Sanders has said earlier his plan was to win over super-delegates who are not secured by primary or caucus elections and may be swayed to support the strongest candidate the Democratic Party can offer against a Republican or other rival in the presidential election.

The poll also showed that 60 percent of the state’s likely Republican voters plan to vote for billionaire businessman Donald Trump.