Womack Served Felony Papers at Polk County Rally

Lakesha Womack, the Democratic candidate for North Carolina's 14th Congressional District, was served with a felony summons on Oct. 11 while attending a campaign event in Polk County. A deputy from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office handed the papers to Womack, according to the Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office, which confirmed the service of process. The charge involves the failure to return a hired motor vehicle.

Womack stated in a Facebook video that she learned of the criminal case only days before the event. She described a conversation with the Gastonia NAACP branch where she was first informed of the charges. Despite this timeline, court records indicate the case was opened in January 2020. Womack argued she could not receive the initial summons at that time because she was homeless and lacked a stable address.

The candidate explained that in 2019, she suffered a medical incident that required an ICU stay. During that period, her son was placed in foster care. Womack said she was living in a hotel and struggling to buy food after retrieving him. She admitted to owing money for the rental car in a video posted on Oct. 9, noting that she believed the issue was resolved but it was not. That specific video has since been removed from her campaign page.

Incumbent Rep. Tim Moore, a Republican, reacted to the incident in a statement. His campaign said the situation raises serious questions about Womack's ability to manage personal affairs. Moore, an attorney with more than 30 years of experience, questioned how she would advocate for the community. He added that the right to keep a car ends when the rental agreement does. Moore noted that Womack's court date is scheduled for one week after the election.

The 14th Congressional District covers the western part of North Carolina, extending from the Charlotte suburbs to the state's foothills. Womack said she did not publicize her plans to be in Polk County, but police identified her vehicle and served her with papers using an address from 2019. She said the service of process occurred immediately after she parked.

If found guilty, Womack faces a sentence of four to 24 months in prison or community service for the same duration. Her campaign was contacted for comment following the incident. Womack said in later videos that she could not discuss the case while it remained active.