COLUMBUS, Ohio - Republican sitting Ohio Supreme Court justices raised nearly 15 times more than their Democratic challengers, according to newly released campaign finance reports.

Combined, Justices Sharon Kennedy and Judith French raised just over $1.1 million. Democrats John O’Donnell and Jennifer Brunner raised together just under $76,000.

The Ohio Supreme Court has seven justices. Two are Democrats. Democrats have a chance to gain a majority on the court, but they have to win both seats.

At least based on the fundraising, they are lagging the Republicans.

State Supreme Court races are generally lower profile. But the 2020 races are significant, since the high court could have a role in redistricting. Congressional and legislative district lines will be decided after the 2020 census, and there could be litigation over the lines if someone feels they were illegally gerrymandered.

The Ohio Republican Party Chair Jane Timken celebrated the financial advantage Friday.

“Now is not the time to rest on our laurels though," she said in a statement. "Democrats have made their playbook known: take over the majority in the Supreme Court, block any map drawn by the legislature, and get their liberal justices to draw the most gerrymandered map in Ohio history. Conservative justices are key to our democracy, and I know people across the state are fired up and ready to re-elect both justices in November.”

A political organization backed by former President Barack Obama and former Attorney General Eric Holder, the National Democratic Redistricting Committee, plans to spend money in Ohio. However, it hasn’t yet spent money on the Supreme Court races.

None of the four candidates has a primary contender March 17, which means campaigning will likely pick up after then.

Kennedy v. O’Donnell

Kennedy, a Republican sitting justice, significantly outraised O’Donnell, a Democrat and a judge on the Cuyahoga County Common Pleas Court: $662,838.86 to $15,935.

Kennedy has $601,649.11 on hand after expenses.

Among the 1,498 in contributions from individuals and groups, she received $7,000 each from the Ohio State Farm Agents and Associates PAC, the Ohio State Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters PCE, the campaign committee of Pat Tiberi’s, a former Ohio congressman, NiSource Inc. PAC, the Promoting our Republican Team PAC, and Bricker and Eckler.

She received $6,000 from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce PAC.

O’Donnell raised $15,935 but had $19,564.80, due to money is his campaign account that he hadn’t spent from previous campaigns. He had 90 contributions, the largest being an individual contribution of $1,000.

Bill DeMora, O’Donnell’s campaign manager, said that he had a late start to fundraising. He’s also the only candidate of the four who is running a race with a full-time trial schedule, but will continue to fundraise, he said.

“I fully expect we’re going to have the resources needed to succeed,” he said.

French v. Brunner

French, a Republican sitting justice, significantly outraised her Democratic opponent, former Ohio Secretary of State Jennifer Brunner: $437,747.82 to $59,851.63.

French’s campaign received $437,747.82 and now has $371,318.69 available after expenses.

Among the largest of the 1,123 contributions, French received $7,000 each from NiSource Inc. PAC, a regional utility company that owns Columbia Gas of Ohio and subsidiaries in other states, Ohio State Farm Agents and Associates PAC, the Ohio State Association of Plumbers and Pipefitters PCE, the Promoting our Republican Team PAC, the Brickler and Eckler law firm, the Dworken & Bernstein law firm and Tiberi’s campaign committee.

She received $6,000 from the Ohio Chamber of Commerce PAC.

Brunner’s campaign received $59,851.63 from 158 groups or individuals, and now has $52,963.76 available.

Among her largest contributions, Brunner received $7,000 each from the Ohio Association of Justice and the trial attorneys’ association, and the Becker Law Firm in Elyria.