Felony warrant served on NC-14 candidate

Voters in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District will cast ballots on a race where the Democratic challenger was served a felony warrant on October 11. Lakesha Womack, a 49-year-old candidate, received the warrant from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office. The legal document charges her with failing to return a hired motor vehicle with a value exceeding $4,000.

The specific vehicle cited in the warrant is a 2019 Toyota Corolla. Womack allegedly rented the car from Budget Car Rental in October 2019 and did not return it. The warrant lists the value of the vehicle at $20,000. A criminal summons for the alleged offense was originally issued in January 2020. Law enforcement did not serve the warrant until this year. Officials did not immediately explain why nearly two years passed between the issuance of the summons and the service of the warrant.

Womack is running to unseat Republican incumbent Rep. Tim Moore in a district that includes Gastonia, Shelby, and Morgantown, along with parts of far south Charlotte. Her campaign released a statement addressing the warrant and describing it as the subject of deceptive attack ads. The statement acknowledged that allegations involving Womack have drawn media attention.

In the statement, Womack said that accountability must be grounded in facts, fairness, and due process. She noted that her court date is scheduled for one week after Election Day. Womack, who is an attorney, expressed frustration with the timing. She stated that any ongoing legal matter should be addressed through appropriate legal process.

Womack shared that she experienced a serious medical emergency requiring hospitalization in intensive care. She described herself as a single mother living with Type 1 Diabetes. The statement said the experience was frightening and life changing. She added that rebuilding financially after the crisis required determination and faith.

The candidate emphasized that she has highlighted accountability and affordability throughout her campaign. She called for consistent standards in evaluating candidates, including their record of public service and responsiveness to constituents. Womack said the people of NC-14 deserve substantive conversations about healthcare, food security, education, and economic opportunity.

The statement concluded by asking voters to cast their ballots by Tuesday, November 3. Womack said her focus remains on the people of the district and the issues affecting their everyday lives. She pledged to hold regular town halls and ensure that decisions made in Washington reflect the realities families face.

The felony warrant remains active. Womack’s first appearance in court is set for the week following the general election. The incident provides a new variable in the contest between the incumbent Republican and the Democratic challenger.