Yeah the leading empty space is fine.
Expanding and shrinking do the same things to the partition.
So no it did not affect the image.
To note, I am also using a 32gb samsung micro sd card.
For kicks here is the MD5 hash for kobo_clara_2e_sdcard_original_slim.img
CF631914DBCF02EE5A3DDC963282E7DC
Now I did these exact steps in my clara 2e using the provided image.
I just took these pictures...
First make sure the 2E is off by holding the power button for ~10s.
Until the light stops flashing.
Next lets make sure the target sd card is clean before trying new stuff.
Open IM-Magic Partition Resizer.
Connect the SD Card to the computer.
Then Right Click where it says Disk 3 in my reset_sdcard.jpg example.
Pick Delete all partitions.
Make sure you select the correct Disk!
Click Yes to confirm.
Click Apply and ok to commit.
Wait and ok.
Now the Disk should be unallocated, empty.
Let try using rufus to write the image to your card.
https://rufus.ie/en/
Open rufus
Select the Disk
Select kobo_clara_2e_sdcard_original_slim.img
Click Start
Click OK
Wait
When done eject the drive and plug it into you 2E
Now turn on your 2E
Mine looked like clara2e_firstboot.jpg and took about 3mins to start.
If it worked then turn it off again and try expanding the storage partition.