Field Poll shows Sanders narrowing Clinton's lead in California

SAN FRANCISCO (KTVU) - A new Field Poll shows Hillary Clinton with a six-point lead over Bernie Sanders in California, but the gap has been nearly cut in half by a surge of support for Sanders since the last Field Poll in January.

The poll of likely California primary voters was taken between March 24th and April 4th. It shows 47 percent of voters favored Clinton compared to 41 percent who favored Sanders.

Despite California's late primary on June 7th, the state appears poised to play a critical role in the Democratic race.

"We know we can't take anything for granted. We have to work for every vote and there's a lot of enthusiasm," said Alec Bash, a coordinator for the NorCal for Hillary and San Francisco for Hillary volunteer groups.

Clinton campaign volunteers were making calls in San Francisco and setting up a new campaign center in the Castro district Friday. They say the Field poll results are a reminder of why they're working so hard.

At a Bernie Sanders campaign center in Oakland, volunteers say Sanders has the momentum to carry California.

'"I think we're going all the way. I believe in Bernie, I trust Bernie. He has been consistent," said Viveca Bradley, a volunteer from Alameda who says she doesn't want her vote or other African-Americans' votes to be taken for granted.

Friday's Field poll shows that among the overall California voter population, Sanders led with a 55 percent favorability rating compared to 47 percent favorablility rating for Clinton.

"Bernie Sanders has actually done some damage to Hillary Clinton's reputation," said Mark DiCamillo, the director of the Field Poll.

DiCamillo says the poll also shows that Clinton has a challenge with young voters.

"The millenial generation, anybody under the age of 35, they're about four to one for Bernie Sanders in California, that's overwhelming," DiCamillo said.

It's a weakness Clinton seemed to address Friday, appearing in upstate New York at the University of Rochester with a stage full of students. Clinton, who represented New York as a U.S. Senator, positioned herself as a practical politician who can get things done.

"Can you make real, positive differences in people's lives?  Don't just make promises, deliver results," Clinton said.

Bernie Sanders appeared at a rally in Brooklyn and told the crowd that his campaign's current momentum can deliver results in New York's April 19th primary and in the remaining primaries.

"We can win this primary. If we win here, we're going to win other states," Sanders said.

Sanders needs to win an estimated 56 percent of the remaining delegates nationwide to overtake Clinton.

California's Democratic primary is open, meaning voters who are independent or decline-to-state are eligible to vote.