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STERLING - Virginia Sen. Tim Kaine has emerged as the leading contender to join the Democratic ticket as Hillary Clinton's running mate, according to two Democrats, who both cautioned that Clinton has not made a final decision and could yet change directions.

The announcement of Clinton's pick could come as early as Friday afternoon in Florida, a crucial general election battleground state. The timing is aimed at shifting attention away from the end of Donald Trump's Republican convention and generating excitement before the start of Clinton's own convention next week in Philadelphia.

Kaine, 58, has been a favorite for the vice presidential slot since the start of Clinton's search process. He has been active in the Senate on foreign relations and military affairs and built a reputation for working across the aisle as Virginia's governor and as mayor of Richmond.

"I'm glad the waiting game is nearly over," Kaine told reporters Thursday after an event in northern Virginia, deflecting questions about whether he was about to join the ticket.