Lou Huddleston was in Laurinburg this week to explain why he wants to represent the 8th Congressional District.

But the retired U.S. Army colonel said he was also at the Scotland County Republican Headquarters Monday night to do more than talk. He was here to listen as well, he said.

"Anyone who is in office should take the position that they don't represent themselves, they represent their constituency," Huddleston told the 40 or so who had come to hear him.

"You don't tell the people what you are going to do; clearly, my responsibility is to make sure that you are comfortable with me. That is what tonight is all about."

Huddleston related aspects of his personal and professional life, touching on his 39-year marriage, his 31-year military career and his experience as a businessman.

"If you put all these together, I believe this qualifies me to run for the 8th District Congressional seat," he said. "Misguided policies are depriving small businesses of the capital and freedom they need to grow; I understand small businesses in North Carolina, and I understand how to create jobs."

Describing himself as fiscally and socially conservative, Huddleston said he is "not confused" in regard to the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman.

"I am pro-life," he said. "My wife and I have walked the walk."

Born at Fort Bragg, Huddleston also characterized himself as conservative on national security.

"One of the fundamental things a congressman must understand is that security goes beyond defense," he said. "We in the 8th Congressional District have a premier power platform at Fort Bragg. I understand the needs of our brave men and women in uniform and I will ensure they have the tools necessary to accomplish their mission."

Huddleston evoked the model of BRAC, the Defense Base Closure and Realignment project that will bring more than 23,000 additional soldiers to the area by 2011 with an estimated economic impact of $6.5 billion, as a way to promote economic development in Scotland County.

"BRAC will bring jobs and opportunities to the region, and it is my goal to make sure the economic benefits push well into the 8th district, including Scotland County, and don't remain solely in the Fort Bragg/Cumberland and Hoke County areas."

On Rep. Larry Kissell, Huddleston said he "had a bone to pick" with the incumbent Democrat.

"Polls have shown that this nation is 40 percent conservative," he said, "but in the 8th Congressional District we are 47 percent conservative, 33 percent moderate, and the rest are liberal, or 'confused', as I like to say. What we currently have is a representative who votes 96 percent with the liberal agenda. I believe it will take someone like me running against Kissell to reverse this. We can't have a representative who doesn't mirror, and who doesn't listen, to voters."

Monday night's event marked the second time John Carpenter of Laurinburg had heard Huddleston speak.

"I think he's got his head screwed on pretty well," Carpenter said. "He's a strong contender. I'm impressed with both he and Tim D'Annunzio. It will be hard to choose which one to support."

Retired OBGYN practitioner Dr. Ben Tatum was impressed with Huddleston's credentials.

"It was my first time to meet him, and he seems well prepared to represent the people of Scotland County," Tatum said. "What he said about the possibility of jobs in Scotland County through BRAC was significant, and the fact that he has an M.A. in Public Administration is to me a big plus. He seemed personable and impressive."

Huddleston concluded his speech with references to a conversation he had with his grandmother prior to leaving home for college.

"She told me I should never borrow a mule from anyone with whom I haven't established a relationship," he said to laughter from the crowd. "I'm not sure why she would think I would borrow someone's mule, but the spirit of her message is why I'm here today. I came to Laurinburg to further establish our relationship, and for you to let me know what's on your mind.

"If you find a candidate not willing to come here and to come back, don't delude yourself," he said. "If you didn't matter before, you won't matter afterwards. So let me assure you of this: you've not heard the last of me."