Bloomberg Jumps to 19% in National Poll; Qualifies for Wednesday Debate

Mike Bloomberg surged into 2nd place with 19% of the vote, according to a new national poll from NPR/PBS/Marist released Tuesday morning. This showing has qualified him for Wednesday's Democratic debate in Las Vegas.

Bernie Sanders continues to lead the field, surpassing 30% support in a national poll for the first time this cycle.  Joe Biden was 3rd, with 15%, with Elizabeth Warren at 12%. The shift in the state of the race in recent weeks is nicely illustrated by comparing these results with those from the previous NPR/PBS/Marist poll from mid-December.

Bloomberg received 4% in that December poll, which was released less than a month after he formally entered the race. Sanders is up 9%, consolidating support on the party's progressive flank away from Elizabeth Warren.  In the more moderate wing, Bloomberg and Amy Klobuchar's ascent has corresponded with a drop in support for Joe Biden and Pete Buttigieg.

Bloomberg, who is not taking individual donations, was able to qualify for Wednesday's debate after the Democratic National Committee removed that as a qualifying requirement. He will join Sanders, Biden, Warren, Klobuchar and Buttigieg on the stage. The debate will be hosted by NBC News and The Nevada Independent and broadcast by NBC and MSNBC at 9:00 PM ET.

The debate precedes the Nevada caucuses, which will take place this Saturday.