Democratic congressional candidate served with felony warrant at campaign event

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (WBTV/Gray News) - A Democratic candidate running for North Carolina’s Congressional District 14 was served with a felony warrant at a campaign event earlier this month.

According to the Polk County Sheriff’s Office, deputies served 49-year-old Lakesha Womack with a felony warrant on Oct. 11.

Authorities said the warrant was from 2020, charging her with failure to return a hired motor vehicle valued at more than $4,000.

The arrest warrant stated that Womack rented a 2019 Toyota Corolla from Budget Car Rental in October 2019 and did not return it by the agreed-upon date.

The car was reportedly worth $20,000.

The criminal summons was originally issued in January 2020 but was not served until this month. It was not immediately clear why the warrant was not served earlier.

Womack is running for Congressional District 14, which includes Gastonia, Shelby, Morgantown, and parts of far south Charlotte. She is challenging Republican incumbent Rep. Tim Moore.

Womack’s campaign did not directly address the felony warrant when asked about the situation, but did address the alleged attack ads from Moore’s campaign.

“Over the past few weeks, allegations involving me have drawn significant media attention and attack ads from Friends of Tim Moore. Candidates for public office should be held accountable and voters deserve transparency,” a statement read in part.

“Throughout this campaign, I have emphasized accountability and affordability. I believe every candidate and elected official should be evaluated by consistent standards, including their record of public service, their decisions in office, and their responsiveness to the people they represent,” the statement continued.

The midterm general election will be held on Nov. 3.