Fincher used his small-business background as a selling point, and won an endorsement from the National Federation of Independent Businesses.

But Fincher's outsider status also concerned some in his district. The Jackson Sun's opinion columnist Tom Bohs said Fincher's campaign felt like a divorce proceeding. "He openly refuses to debate his Democratic opponent, talk to the media, answer questions about millions of dollars of financial transactions and personal finances, properly fill out legally required financial disclosure forms to run for the office or otherwise engage in what most of us would consider normal political activity," Bohs wrote.

Financial Disclosures

Fincher came under fire in 2010 when the financial records he was required to disclose to the House clerk as part of his candidacy listed no assets and no liabilities except for a $250,000 bank loan to his campaign.

His opponent, Roy Herron, accused Fincher of hiding "hundreds of thousands of dollars in debt" and assets.

Fincher responded that the loan was among many things he was not required to disclose, and that it was legal."Roy says I'm hiding," Fincher said. "Roy's the one hiding from his record."

Health Care

Fincher's 2010 campaign was focused on running against President Obama's 2010 health-care overhaul. He signed the Club for Growth's pledge to repeal the health-care reform law if elected.

In 2010 campaing events, Fincher demurred from discussing specific policy points. "I'm a farmer," Fincher said. "I can give you all kinds of farming advice, but if I want medical advice, I'll ask a doctor. If I want legal advice, I'll ask a lawyer.

"The problem we have is this bill was written by people that don't know anything about health care," he said.

Tea Party Politics

Despite his conservative credentials, Fincher didn't win an endorsement from the tea party in the House race, the grassroots conservative movement thought to be a kingmaker in 2010. Instead, the Mid-South Tea Party endorsed Donn Janes, who ran as an independent.

Janes criticized Fincher for profiting from millions of dollars in farm subsidies he received for growing crops such as corn and soybeans.

The Mid-South Tea Party also criticized Fincher for rescinding his offer to debate his opponent.

Taxes

Fincher supports extending the George W. Bush 2001 and 2003 tax cuts.

"We must reward the job creators, not punish them," Fincher said. "We must reinstate the tax cuts - all of the tax cuts - if we want to get out of this recession."

Abortion

A social conservative, Fincher is staunchly against abortion rights. He was endorsed by Tennessee Right-to-Life in the Republican primary.

Immigration

Fincher wants to end illegal immigration and enforce laws against illegal immigration already on the books.

He won a 2010 endorsement from Jim Gilchrist's Minuteman Project, a controversial grassroots organization whose volunteer members are known to police the U.S, southern border themselves.

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