NC House Race: Felony Summons Served to Democrat at Campaign Stop

Seven years. That is the gap between the time a rental car was repossessed from Democrat candidate Lakesha Womack and the moment a deputy from the Polk County Sheriff’s Office pulled up behind her vehicle to serve a felony summons. The incident occurred on October 11 during a campaign event in Polk County, North Carolina, where Womack is running to represent the state’s 14th Congressional District.

The charges stem from a failure to return a hired motor vehicle in 2019. Records indicate the felony case was opened in January 2020, but Womack stated she was unaware of the active case until days before her appearance in Polk County. She explained that she was homeless at the time the car was taken and lacked a stable address to receive the original summons. If found guilty, the offense carries a penalty of four to 24 months behind bars or community service.

Womack recounted the moment of service in a Facebook video. She noted that the deputy used her address from 2019 and seemed to know exactly which car she was driving. She had not publicly announced her presence in Polk County, yet the law enforcement officers appeared immediately after she parked. Womack described the timing as coincidental given the seven year delay in locating her.

Her opponent, incumbent Republican Rep. Tim Moore, issued a response to the news. The Moore campaign said the incident raises serious questions about Womack’s ability to manage personal affairs. Moore, who has served as an attorney for over three decades, argued that the standard of justice should apply equally to candidates. His campaign emphasized that Womack’s court date is scheduled for one week after the election.

Womack addressed the financial aspect of the case in a separate video posted on October 9. She admitted to owing fees to the rental company but stated she believed the issue was previously resolved. That specific video was later removed from her campaign Facebook page. In subsequent posts, she said she could not discuss the matter further because the case is active.

The Mecklenburg County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that Womack was served with the criminal summons by a Polk County deputy. The office did not verify that the service occurred specifically at a campaign event. Womack’s campaign did not respond to requests for comment before the article’s publication.