Bernie Sanders takes the lead over Hillary Clinton in Iowa

The Democratic party is beginning to 'feel the burn'

Bernie Sanders marches in Washington DC. (Win McNamee/Getty Images)

Vermont Senator Bernie Sanders has taken the lead over Democratic frontrunner Hillary Clinton in Iowa for the first time, according to a new Quinnipiac University poll. He currently leads the former secretary of state by a 1 point margin — 41 percent to 40 percent.

Quinnipiac pollster Peter A Brown told CNN that Senator Sanders is shaking up the conversation among the Democratic party.

"He is the candidate of the Democratic left, against his own party's bosses and their prized presidential candidate. Sanders has seized the momentum by offering a message more in line with disproportionately liberal primary and caucus voters."

Researchers surveyed 832 Iowans from August 27 to September 8 by calling land lines and cell phones. Thirty percent of likely voters said they do not find Ms Clinton honest and trustworthy amid her ongoing private email snafu. Only 4 percent of Iowans find Mr Sanders untrustworthy.

The news is a small victory for Senator Sanders who also leads Ms Clinton in New Hampshire by 7 percent, according to Public Policy Polling.