Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton is now losing to Sen. Bernie Sanders (I., Vt.) in a second early voting state according to a poll released Thursday, as she continues to suffer under the weight of her email scandal.
Despite possessing a commanding 21-point lead as recently as July, Clinton now trails Sanders 41 to 40 in the most recent Quinnipiac University poll. The difference between the two falls between the margin of error.
The poll is Sanders’ first lead in that state. The self-described socialist now leads the former Democratic frontrunner in both Iowa and New Hampshire, the first primary in the nation.
In his neighboring state, a NBC/Marist poll released this weekend found Sanders leading Clinton by nine points, 41-to-32. Not to be forgotten, Vice President Joe Biden, who is not a declared candidate but is openly pondering a run for the White House, took 16 percent of the vote in the Granite State.
The Quinnipiac poll revealed the reason Iowa voters are shifting more towards Sanders: they do not trust Clinton as much as the other candidates. When asked if candidates are honest and trustworthy, Biden leads with 91 percent, followed by Sanders with 86 percent, with Clinton "significantly lower" with 64 percent of Democrats believing she can be relied on.
Clinton finally apologized this week for her use of a private server while at the State Department in an interview with ABC's David Muir, telling him Tuesday she took responsibility for her decision. Clinton, who led all Democrats with an 85 percent favorability rating two months ago, trails Biden and Sanders at 76 percent now.
"If you’re wondering why she apologized this week about using that private email as Secretary of State, this is why," CNN’s Jeff Zeleny said. "Her trust and honesty have taken a significant hit over this summer."