Womack Wins House Seat With Felony Case Pending

LaKesha Womack defeated Republican Rep. Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, winning a seat while facing an unresolved Class H felony charge over an allegedly unreturned rental car. She is expected to take office in January 2027. Womack has not been convicted, and the case’s outcome remains pending. Her next court appearance is scheduled for November 10, 2026. The charge alleges that Womack failed to return a rental car valued at about $20,000 in 2019. A criminal summons was issued in January 2020 and returned unserved the following month, according to reports on the case. Womack was served at a campaign event in Polk County on October 11, 2026. Two Charlotte defense attorneys who do not represent Womack said the age of the allegation and questions about evidence could complicate a prosecution. Rob Heroy said he expects the charge to be dismissed, pointing to the use of a criminal summons and the challenge of proving that a failure to return a rental car was willful. Tim Emry said prosecution was unlikely but offered several possible outcomes, including dismissal, a reduced misdemeanor charge or an agreement that could avoid a permanent conviction after...