Early speculation that Ohio politician Josh Mandel’s name recognition would give him a big lead in the race to replace retiring Republican Sen. Rob Portman got a shock today when a new poll showed former state GOP chief Jane Timken gaining on the former state treasurer.

The survey tested six candidates and found Timken surging the most since September. Her six-point gain put her in second place in the 2022 race behind Mandel at 17% to his 21%. The poll showed Mandel had dipped a point since September.