Senate race

The survey of 1,000 registered voters was done between Feb. 16-18, just a few days out from Tuesday night's third and final debate between the four leading candidates ahead of the

March 5 primary.

Stakes are high for Porter, who has so far failed to secure herself the second-place position, although support for Porter increased since January from 13% to 16%.

More than 16% of voters at the time they were surveyed said they are still undecided about who to vote for, according

to the poll, most of which are independent voters.

“Porter and Garvey need to find ways to cut into that group,” said Matt Lesenyie, assistant professor of political science at CSU Long Beach.

The poll found that Schiff and Garvey are neck and neck to clinch independents' vote, Schiff with 23% and

Garvey with 22%. Porter, on the other hand, has 15%.

One demographic that leans heavily toward Porter is younger voters. Twentythree percent of likely voters aged 18-29 said they would vote for Porter if the primary were held today, compared to 9% for Schiff, 14% for Lee and 8% for Garvey.

“(Young voters) are all in

on racial inequality and the environment, and so those talks can be on politicians' lips these days,” Lesenyie said.

Porter on Tuesday released a comprehensive, eight-point climate action plan that outlines how she would protect the environment and strengthen the economy.

The survey also found that just over three in 10 surveyed voters who reported that they have heard, seen or read about last week's U.S. Senate debate think Schiff won the debate, while 19% said Porter, 18% went for Garvey and 9% said Lee. Notably, 21% said they think no candidate won the debate.