Farmer and gospel singer Stephen Fincher has more than $600,000 in cash headed into the new year.

Fincher’s campaign released a statement Wednesday claiming the Republican House candidate raised nearly $320,000 in the final quarter of 2009, after pulling in $300,000 in the third quarter.

His emergence as a candidate and his fundraising prowess may well have factored into Rep. John Tanner’s (D-Tenn.) decision last month to retire rather than defend his 8th district seat in 2010.

State Sen. Roy Herron (D) has since jumped in the race and announced on Tuesday that he raised a mammoth $675,000 for his congressional bid in this year’s fourth quarter, of which $250,000 came from the candidate himself in the form of a loan.

CQ Politics presently rates the Tennessee 8 race as a Toss Up.

To follow the 2010 House races, check out the CQ Politics election map.