WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator J.D. Vance (R-Ohio) and Minnesota Governor Tim Walz (D) are set to engage in a vice presidential debate Tuesday night. This debate marks the final scheduled face-off ahead of the November election, with polls indicating a competitive race.

The CBS News-hosted event kicks off at 9 p.m. Eastern and will last 90 minutes. Audiences can tune in via local CBS affiliates, the CBS News app, as well as CBSNews.com, YouTube, and Paramount+.

The candidates, representing former President Donald Trump and Vice President Kamala Harris, share backgrounds in Congress and military service. As they prepare for the debate, the aftermath of Hurricane Helene significantly impacts the southeastern U.S., with the storm causing record flooding and claiming over 100 lives, particularly in North Carolina.

Vance’s campaign plans to focus on criticizing Walz, linking him to the Biden administration’s policies. Minnesota GOP Congressman Tom Emmer emphasized that “no amount of Minnesota nice” can overshadow what he calls Walz’s negative record. “Vance is prepared to wipe the floor with Walz and expose him for the radical liberal he is,” Emmer stated confidently in a recent press call.

However, Trump campaign senior adviser Jason Miller cautioned that Walz has a strong debate track record. He praised Walz’s extensive political experience, noting his near two-decade tenure. Additionally, Trump announced via his social media platform that he would offer a personal commentary during the debate.

Details about Walz’s preparation have not been disclosed by the Harris campaign. Reports suggest he is practicing with Secretary of Transportation Pete Buttigieg as a stand-in for Vance. Recently, Walz attended a college football game to energize youth voters, emphasizing their importance in the upcoming election.

The debate is expected to spotlight Vance’s military service, having served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 2003 to 2007. His campaign argues Walz strategically retired to avoid deployment. Veterans speaking on behalf of the Trump campaign have accused Walz of being a “turncoat.”

In contrast, Walz’s military career includes 24 years in the Army National Guard, including a deployment in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. Fact-checking has clarified that Walz filed retirement paperwork months before a potential deployment notification.

Retired veterans have raised questions about Walz’s connections to China and his response to the Minneapolis protests following George Floyd’s death. They criticized his approach during the civil unrest, despite Walz asserting pride in the collaborative efforts of officials during the crisis.

In another part of the country, Trump visited Valdosta, Georgia, addressing the aftermath of Hurricane Helene. Standing with Franklin Graham, he expressed solidarity with affected communities and emphasized the importance of disaster recovery over political concerns.

Vice President Harris has also switched her focus to the storm response, canceling campaign events to return to Washington for briefings. She has conveyed her condolences for the storm’s victims and reaffirmed commitment to federal support for disaster recovery.

On the campaign front, Walz’s team has begun to garner endorsements from some prominent Republicans, including former Senator Jeff Flake, who lauded both Harris and Walz for their character. Meanwhile, Republican Voters Against Trump has initiated a significant advertising campaign in swing states, aiming to sway undecided voters.

As the campaigns progress, Trump is slated to return to Butler, Pennsylvania, where he previously survived an assassination attempt. His schedule includes a town hall meeting in North Carolina as the election race heats up.