As the US presidential election approaches, Vice-President Kamala Harris is set to announce her running mate by Tuesday morning, ending weeks of speculation. This comes at a crucial time as the latest CBS poll indicates a tight race between Harris and former President Donald Trump.

Over the weekend, Harris interviewed several top contenders in Washington DC, including Pennsylvania Governor Josh Shapiro, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, and Arizona Senator Mark Kelly. She also met with Transportation Secretary Pete Buttigieg and spoke with other candidates virtually.

The announcement will be followed by a five-day tour covering seven cities, intensifying her campaign efforts in key battleground states. The CBS poll shows a close national race, with Harris holding a narrow one-point lead over Trump. In battleground states, the candidates are tied, a shift from earlier in the race when Trump had a five-point lead while Joe Biden was still a candidate.

Harris’s vetting process was led by former US Attorney General Eric Holder, assessing each contender’s potential political vulnerabilities. Shapiro has faced criticism from left-wing groups for his support of private school vouchers and his pro-Israel stance.

The Harris campaign is preparing for events starting with a rally in Philadelphia, followed by stops in Wisconsin, Michigan, North Carolina, Georgia, Arizona, and Nevada. In contrast, Trump and his running mate, JD Vance, have downplayed the significance of Harris’s choice, suggesting the vice-presidential pick “does not have any impact.” As the Democratic National Committee officially nominated Harris, anticipation for her running mate choice continues to build, poised to shape the final months of the election season.