While most credit union supporters on Capitol Hill aren't facingformidable challenges this year, some are fighting tough races inthe 2012 election. Here's a rundown of the top five racesthat could have an effect on credit union support in Congress.

• Montana

Sen. Jon Tester (D) vs. Rep. Denny Rehberg (R)

Tester (shown at right) led an unsuccessful attempt in 2011 along with Sen. Bob Corker(R-Tenn.) to delay the Federal Reserve's regulation of interchangefees. He is facing what NAFCU Director ofPolitical Affairs Katie Marisic called “one of the most competitiveSenate races in the country” against six-term congressman DennyRehberg.

CUNA Vice President of Political Affairs Trey Hawkins agreedwith Marisic regarding the race's competitiveness and said CUNA hasput “significant resources” into Tester's re-election effort. As ofOct. 16, Rasmussen Reports polling showed the candidates werepolling dead even at 48% of the vote each.

• California's 30^th District

Rep. Brad Sherman (D) vs. Rep. Howard Berman (D)

Sherman (shown at right) is a longtime credit union supporter,pressing industry issues through his position on the HouseFinancial Services Committee, and was an original co-sponsor of H.R.3993, which would allow credit unions to receive supplemental capital. He also is a co-sponsor of H.R. 3461, theExam Reform Act.

Due to redistricting, he faces fellow Democrat Rep. Howard Berman inone of this year's nastiest races. Both Sherman and Berman areco-sponsors of H.R. 1418, a bill that would raise the memberbusiness lending cap.

Sherman was a top campaign contribution recipient of both NAFCUand CUNA. Marisic said Oct. 24 that Sherman appears to be ahead ofBerman in the polls and is well liked by his constituents.

“We look forward to working with him in the next Congress,” shesaid.

• New York's 24^th District

Former Rep. Dan Maffei (D) vs. Rep. Ann Marie Buerkle(R)

Maffei (shown at right) lost after one term in 2010 to Buerkleby just 567 votes. He now is seeking to recapture his position inthe House. During his term, he sat on the House Financial ServicesCommittee, and according to Hawkins, was a vocal advocate for smallinstitutions during the debate and passage of the Dodd-Frank Act.He was endorsed by the Credit Union Association of New York.

• California's 52^nd District

Rep. Brian Bilbray (R) vs. San Diego Port Commissioner ScottPeters (D)

Hawkins called Bilbray (shown at left) a “strong credit union friend” in atight race against Peters. Indeed, even as recently as Oct. 24, theWashington publication The Hill reported that differentpolls put both Bilbray and Peters in front, with margins of errorthat could swing the race either way. He is a co-sponsor of H.R.1418, the bill that would raise the member business lending cap.

• Colorado's 7^th District

Rep. Ed Perlmutter (D) vs. Joe Coors (R)

Perlmutter, who is a co-sponsor of member business lending billH.R. 1418 and H.R. 3461, the Exam Reform Act, is in a dead heat inthe polls with Joe Coors, great-grandson of beer brewer AdolphCoors. Marisic called Perlmutter (shown at right) “bi-partisan,smart on issues and good with members in his district.”