Square/Gallup Survey: Joe Biden is the Top Choice for the Democratic Nomination Among Small Business Owners

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="However, Michael Bloomberg is the only Democratic candidate favored by more small business owners than President Donald Trump in the general election” data-reactid=”11″>However, Michael Bloomberg is the only Democratic candidate favored by more small business owners than President Donald Trump in the general election

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Sixty percent approve of the job that Donald Trump is doing as president” data-reactid=”12″>Sixty percent approve of the job that Donald Trump is doing as president

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="According to a survey conducted by Square and global analytics firm, Gallup, American small business owners are closely following the 2020 Presidential election and overwhelmingly plan to vote in November. With 60% paying "a lot of attention" and 30% paying "some attention," this key group of voters, which account for more than 30 million businesses across the country, is more than highly engaged: 97% say they will likely cast a vote in the 2020 Presidential election.” data-reactid=”13″>According to a survey conducted by Square and global analytics firm, Gallup, American small business owners are closely following the 2020 Presidential election and overwhelmingly plan to vote in November. With 60% paying “a lot of attention” and 30% paying “some attention,” this key group of voters, which account for more than 30 million businesses across the country, is more than highly engaged: 97% say they will likely cast a vote in the 2020 Presidential election.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200210005238/en/” data-reactid=”14″>This press release features multimedia. View the full release here: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20200210005238/en/

General Election Candidate Preference Among Small Business Owners (Square/Gallup Survey)

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Even though small business owners tilt more Republican (40%) than Democratic (33%) or Independent (26%), they are closely divided in whom they would support in the general election. By comparison, U.S. adults nationwide are less likely to identify as Republicans, according to Gallup.” data-reactid=”23″>Even though small business owners tilt more Republican (40%) than Democratic (33%) or Independent (26%), they are closely divided in whom they would support in the general election. By comparison, U.S. adults nationwide are less likely to identify as Republicans, according to Gallup.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Democratic Primary Candidate Preference” data-reactid=”24″>Democratic Primary Candidate Preference

Joe Biden is the top choice for 22% of respondents who plan to vote in the upcoming Democratic primaries, followed by Michael Bloomberg, Senator Bernie Sanders, and Senator Elizabeth Warren. Thirteen percent of small business owners who plan to vote remain undecided regarding their Democratic primary selection. Full results below:

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="General Election Candidate Preference” data-reactid=”28″>General Election Candidate Preference

Sixty percent of small business owners surveyed from January 15 to the 24, approve of the job President Trump is doing in office, and 52% say that if he wins the general election in November, their business will be better off. Conversely, 41% say the same for the Democratic nominee.

Small business owners would vote for President Trump over six of the seven top Democratic candidates. Only Mr. Bloomberg edges out President Trump. In a hypothetical head-to-head match-up between the two candidates, 52% of small business owners say they would support Mr. Bloomberg, and 48% would back President Trump. Democratic candidate Vice President Joe Biden ties with President Trump at 50%.

Here is a breakout of the general election head-to head-vote:

Among Independent voters, Mr. Bloomberg holds an even wider margin of 57% to 43%. Independent voters also support Andrew Yang over President Trump 53% to 47%, and Mayor Pete Buttigieg narrowly beats President Trump 51% to 49%.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Economic Conditions” data-reactid=”35″>Economic Conditions

When asked about the state of the economy, 77% of small business owners say current economic conditions in the U.S. are good, however 69% say it is likely that the nation will face an economic recession sometime in the next 18 months. One-third (33%), say U.S. trade tariffs have mostly hurt their business in the last three years, 40% say they have had no effect and 27% say they have helped.

<p class="canvas-atom canvas-text Mb(1.0em) Mb(0)–sm Mt(0.8em)–sm" type="text" content="Key Election Issues: Taxes, Government Regulations, and Healthcare” data-reactid=”37″>Key Election Issues: Taxes, Government Regulations, and Healthcare

Among six key election issues, 32% of small business owners say taxes present the greatest challenge to their business, while 21% say government regulations, and 20% say healthcare. Seven in 10 small business owners say the cost of healthcare has impacted their ability to hire or retain employees, and 69% say their business benefited from the increased small business deduction that resulted from the 2017 tax reform law.

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