Welcome to Poll Watch, our weekly look at polling data and survey research on the candidates, voters and issues that will shape the 2020 election.

With former Vice President Joseph R. Biden Jr. and Senator Elizabeth Warren jockeying for the top spot in the Democratic presidential race, we decided to take a look at another candidate who’s been quietly climbing out of the lower rung: Pete Buttigieg. Are there signs that he could grow into a leading candidate, ultimately rivaling — maybe even beating — Mr. Biden and Ms. Warren?

The 37-year-old mayor of South Bend, Ind., Mr. Buttigieg began his presidential campaign with a bang last winter and picked up a head of steam in the spring. But for the last several months he has been largely treading water among the second tier of candidates.

A recent batch of polling suggests that could soon change.

Positioning himself as a Midwestern realist who could unify voters across the aisle, Mr. Buttigieg has focused much of his campaign’s formidable war chest on Iowa. He has opened more campaign offices than any other candidate in that state, which is less than four hours west of South Bend on Route 80 and will host the Democrats’ first nominating contest in February 2020.