NC 14th District Democratic Candidate LaKesha Womack Faces Felony Rental Car Charge

Polk County Sheriff Serves Felony Warrant on North Carolina Congressional Candidate Lakesha Womack

Lakesha Womack, the Democratic challenger for North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, was served a criminal summons on Sunday, Oct. 11, by the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, WBTV reported. The 49-year-old candidate faces a single charge of failing to return a hired motor vehicle valued at over $4,000, according to court documents.

The criminal charge stems from an October 2019 incident involving a 2019 Toyota Corolla rented from Budget Car Rental. Court records reviewed by The Charlotte Observer list the total value of the vehicle at $20,000. Under North Carolina law, a willful failure to return a rented motor vehicle valued above $4,000 constitutes a Class H felony.

Court Records and Timeline of the 2020 Summons

Although the criminal summons was originally issued on Jan. 14, 2020, it was not served until this year. Court records show the initial summons was returned unserved in February 2020 before being reissued and marked served on Oct. 11.

Womack stated she first learned of the pending legal matter on Oct. 9, receiving the summons two days later while attending a campaign rally in Polk County. It was not immediately clear why the warrant was not served until now.

Campaign Response and Questions Surrounding Timing of Court Date

Womack retained legal counsel and declined to discuss the specific circumstances surrounding the rental vehicle. In an email statement to The Charlotte Observer, she questioned the timing of the legal proceedings so close to the election.

It feels like a terrible coincidence that my court date is scheduled the week after the election, Womack said in her statement. I’m not an attorney so I don’t know how these things work, but I would hate to believe that this was brought forward to give my opponent an unfair advantage by implying I’m a felon.

Womack faces Republican incumbent Rep. Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, which spans Gastonia, Shelby, Morgantown, and parts of far south Charlotte, alongside areas of Mecklenburg, Gaston, Cleveland, Rutherford, Polk, and Burke counties. The campaign for Moore released attack ads regarding the allegations through a supporting political entity, Friends of Tim Moore.

In a separate video released online, Womack acknowledged she failed to return the rental car on time, attributing the lapse to a period of homelessness and unstable housing where she could not receive legal notices. She stated she previously believed the matter had been fully resolved.

Candidate Focus on Healthcare Affordability and District Issues

Womack’s official campaign statement shifted focus away from the pending legal case and toward personal experiences with financial hardship and systemic health challenges. As a single mother managing Type 1 Diabetes, Womack highlighted a past medical emergency that required intensive care hospitalization.

Like millions of Americans, I learned firsthand how quickly an unexpected medical crisis can disrupt your health, financial stability, and ability to provide for your family, Womack stated. My focus remains on the people of NC-14 and the issues that affect their everyday lives. My commitment has not changed: listening to you, learning from you, and leading for you.

Womack is scheduled to appear in Mecklenburg County District Court at 9 a.m. on Nov. 10, exactly one week after the Nov. 3 general election.

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