North Carolina Democrat LaKesha Womack, who pulled off a surprise victory in Tuesday’s midterm election, is scheduled to appear in court next week on a felony charge related to an allegedly unreturned rental car.
Womack was among more than 40 Democrats who captured Republican-held House seats in the blue-wave election. She defeated GOP Rep. Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District just weeks after receiving the felony summons at a campaign event.
The congresswoman-elect is due in court on Nov. 10.
It remains unclear whether the criminal case could affect Womack’s swearing-in ceremony, scheduled for Jan. 3.
Womack is accused of failing to return a rental vehicle valued at approximately $20,000 in 2019.
A criminal summons was issued in January 2020 but returned unserved the next month, according to the Charlotte Observer.
Authorities ultimately served the summons to Womack on Oct. 11 at one of her campaign events in Polk County.
Under sentencing guidelines, the Class H felony charge carries a potential prison term ranging from four months to more than three years.
A conviction would not automatically bar Womack from serving in Congress, though it could restrict her role in the chamber.
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House rules generally call for lawmakers sentenced to at least two years in prison to forgo committee assignments and party leadership posts.
Expelling a lawmaker, including one convicted of a felony, would require a two-thirds vote by the full House.
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Womack has not directly explained why she is accused of failing to return the rental vehicle.
“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,” she said in a statement released last month.
“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.
“Accountability, however, must be grounded in facts, fairness, and due process rather than speculation or sensationalism.”
According to the Charlotte Observer, Womack has also said she experienced a medical emergency that led to hospitalization and was homeless around the time of the alleged offense. She has not explained how those circumstances relate to the rental car allegations.
Womack’s campaign did not immediately respond to The Post’s request for comment.
