Rep. Spencer Bachus (R-Ala.), chairman of the House FinancialServices Committee, is facing what may be his toughest electioncontest in years tomorrow.

Bachus faces a primary challenge from three other candidates,Scott Beason of Gardendale, Ala., a state senator; Blount CountyProbate Judge David Standridge and a pharmacist named Al Mickle.Media outlets have reported an impression that Bachus is strugglingin the race despite there not having been independent polling tomeasure voter opinion.

In an endorsing editorial, the Birmingham Newscommented on what it judged to have been a lackluster Bachuscampaign so far.

“He has run a desultory campaign attacking President BarackObama as a socialist rather than making much of a case for his ownre-election,” the paper wrote and then noted that Bachus is thesubject of an investigation by the Office of Congressional Ethicsinto whether he used his office for personal gain. Bachus hasdeniedthis.

That investigation, combined with Bachus' long tenure in theHouse, has helped fuel the drive to replace him, media outlets havewritten.

Bachus has been known for saying good things about credit unionsbut has not sponsored the effort to raise the cap on memberbusiness loans.

Bachus, who has been the chairman of the House FinancialServices Committee since last January, has already announced hewill step down from the post at the end of the year. He said hewon't seek a waiver of the House Republicans' rule limiting someoneto a total of six years as chairman or ranking member of acommittee.