Democrat House Candidate Faces Felony Summons at Campaign Event

Lakesha Womack, a Democratic candidate for the House of Representatives, stated she received a criminal summons for felony charges related to a rental car she failed to return in 2019. Womack, who is running to represent North Carolina's 14th Congressional District, said she was confronted by police with the charges at a campaign event in Polk County, North Carolina, on October 11.

Womack claimed she was only made aware of the felony case days before the event, though records indicate the case was opened in January 2020. Her campaign stated in a Facebook video that she was served the summons while arriving at the event. The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that a criminal summons for Felony Fail to Return Hired Motor Vehicle was issued to her on that date by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, but could not confirm it occurred at a campaign event.

The Republican incumbent in the district, Rep. Tim Moore, R-N.C., commented through his campaign, stating the incident "raises serious questions" and that Womack "owes voters an explanation, especially since her court date is one week after the election."

Womack attributed the 2019 incident to homelessness and financial hardship. She explained in a video that she was in the intensive care unit following a medical incident, her son was placed in foster care, and she was living in a hotel and struggling to afford food. She stated she had a rental car during this period which was repossessed, and she was unaware that felony charges had been filed because she lacked a stable address to receive the summons at the time.

In an October 9 video, which appears to have since been deleted, Womack acknowledged owing money for the rental car, stating, "I do owe them people some money." She also indicated she believed the issue had been resolved, but "it’s not resolved." In later videos, she stated she could not discuss an active case.

If convicted of Felony Fail to Return Hired Motor Vehicle, Womack could face between four and 24 months in prison or community service.

North Carolina's 14th Congressional District is located in the western part of the state, encompassing areas from the Charlotte suburbs to more rural foothills.