Farmer and gospel singer Steve Fincher (R), who filed earlier this month to challenge Rep. John Tanner (D) in the 8th district, is set to report more than $100,000 in campaign donations by the end of the month, according to a GOP source close to Fincher’s campaign.

Fincher, a cotton, corn and soybean farmer who also travels across Western Tennessee with his family singing group, hails from Crockett County and is active in Archer’s Chapel United Methodist Church.

Tanner ran unopposed last year despite the conservative nature of the 8th district and the fact that Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) won the district by 13 points in 2008.

Tanner is a moderate who helped found the Blue Dog Coalition. He is a member of the Ways and Means Committee and has never had a tough re-election since winning his seat in 1988.