Elizabeth Dole lost her re-election bid in North Carolina last year in part because of the view that she didn't spend enough time in the Tarheel State. Well, the News & Observer reports this morning that the former senator is coming back to the state for what is believed to be the first time since her defeat, and she's bringing a guest.

She'll be introducing former Arkansas governor and once (and future?) presidential candidate Mike Huckabee at an event in Charlotte next Thursday.

Huckabee will hold two events at the Charlotte City Club to benefit a conservative advocacy group he runs, the Vertical Politics Institute, and his political action committee, Huck PAC.

The North Carolina primary came well after Huckabee dropped out in 2008. The other Carolina, however, will likely preserve its early primary status.