There are two very late entries in the Republican primary for the 6th Congressional District seat, and one of them a doozy.

Tuscaloosa developer Stan Pate, considered to be somewhat of a political gadfly within party circles, qualified for the primary at the very last minute Friday afternoon.

Pate and political unknown Justin Barkley just beat the 5 p.m. filing deadline at state GOP headquarters in Homewood.

The gruff Pate has fought political battles against Governors Bob Riley and Robert Bentley, and has given or lent money to a wide range of candidates, including Birmingham mayoral candidate Patrick Cooper. Pate is noted for paying for an aerial banner to be flown over the BCS Championship Game at the Rose Bowl, promoting Riley’s impeachment.

Pate and Barkley join Gardendale State Sen. Scott Beason, Blount County Probate Judge/Commission President David Standridge of Hayden and pharmacy technician Al Mickle of Alabaster in opposing 10-term incumbent Spencer Bachus of Vestavia Hills.

Two candidates have also filed for the Democratic primary, making this year’s race the first time the party has had a contested primary in the district in a decade; in fact, no Democrat has opposed Bachus in seven election cycles.