Chicago, Illinois — As the Democratic National Convention approaches in Chicago, Vice President Kamala Harris holds a lead over former President Donald Trump in the race for the White House, according to recent opinion polls. Harris, who entered the race late after President Joe Biden withdrew his re-election bid, has gained momentum among Democrats and left-leaning voters.

Two polls released on Sunday show Harris ahead of Trump by a margin of three to six percentage points. A survey conducted by ABC News/Washington Post/Ipsos indicates that Harris leads Trump 49% to 45% among registered voters and 51% to 45% among likely voters in a head-to-head matchup. Even when third-party candidates Robert F. Kennedy Jr., Cornel West, and Jill Stein are included in the race, Harris maintains a lead, with 47% support compared to Trump’s 44% among registered voters, and 49% to 45% among likely voters.

Another poll by CBS News shows Harris with a three-point advantage over Trump, leading 51% to 48% nationwide. However, the race remains highly competitive in key battleground states like Pennsylvania, Michigan, Wisconsin, Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, where Harris and Trump are tied at 50% each.

Harris’s rise in the polls comes after months of declining support for President Biden, who cited concerns about his ability to serve a second term as the reason for his withdrawal. Harris’s candidacy has revitalized the Democratic base, especially in states like Arizona, Georgia, Nevada, and North Carolina, which went to Trump during Biden’s campaign.

Before heading to Chicago for the convention, Harris held several campaign events in Pennsylvania, a crucial state with 20 electoral votes. Despite her lead in the polls, Harris expressed caution, stating, “I consider us the underdog. We have a lot of work to do to win the American people’s vote.”

As Harris and her running mate, Minnesota Governor Tim Walz, prepare for the convention, Trump has continued his attacks, focusing on inflation and Harris’s opposition to fracking, a key issue in Pennsylvania.

The upcoming four-day convention will feature speeches from prominent Democratic figures, including former Presidents Bill Clinton and Barack Obama, former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, and former First Lady Michelle Obama. However, the convention may also see protests from delegates opposed to the Biden administration’s support of the war in Gaza, highlighting divisions within the party.