A freshly elected Democrat Congresswoman has faced an emotional whirlwind of a week, unseating a Republican incumbent in a red state just days before she is scheduled to appear in court on criminal charges.
LaKesha Womack unseated Representative Tim Moore on Tuesday in North Carolina's 14th Congressional District, ousting the longtime local politician in a surprise win as part of the Democratic blue wave that swept the country.
Womack surged to victory less than a month after a criminal summons was reissued against her for a 2020 incident.
The congresswoman-elect was accused of failing to return a 2019 Toyota Corolla sedan on October 23, 2019, according to a criminal summons.
She was charged with one count of failing to return a motor vehicle worth more than $4,000, a felony.
Womack is scheduled to appear at the Mecklenburg County Courthouse on Tuesday morning, exactly a week after her congressional victory.
Court records show the criminal summons was first issued in January 2020 but was returned unserved.
However, Womack could not shake the allegations and was served in October at a campaign event, the Charlotte Observer reported.
LaKesha Womack surged to victory on Election Day, ousting an incumbent Republican congressman just one week before her court date. Picture source: Instagram/lakeshawomack
Representative Tim Moore lost his re-election bid to Womack on Tuesday, flipping his seat from Republican to Democrat
Womack was served with a criminal summons while campaigning. She in a statement that candidates for public office should be held accountable through due process rather than 'speculation or sensationalism.' Picture source: Instagram/lakeshawomack
Moore capitalized on Womack's case, launching attack ads against her highlighting her felony charge.
In an ad he shared on social media, his team accused Womack of 'refusing to answer questions' about her alleged felony.
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'Womack's felony charge? It's about stolen property. Tim Moore wants you to keep your money and your property. Tim Moore is the right choice,' the ad continued.
GOPAC, a Republican political action committee, also ran an ad urging North Carolinians not to vote for a 'felony defendant,' noting that Womack's court date is a week after Election Day.
Womack pushed back against the attack ads, writing in a statement that candidates for public office should be held accountable through due process rather than 'speculation or sensationalism.'
'As an attorney, Congressman Moore knows that any ongoing legal matter should be addressed through the appropriate legal process,' she continued.
'That's what makes the timing of my court date (one full week after Election Day) especially frustrating. I recognize that public service comes with scrutiny, and I respect the public's right to ask questions.'
Womack added that she would answer the public's questions consistent with the legal process.
Moore capitalized on Womack's criminal charges and outspent her significantly, but still came up short on Election Day
She also described an 'incredibly difficult' chapter in her life where she experienced a severe hospitalization that disrupted her finances.
Despite the controversy, Womack prevailed on Election Day, winning 51.1 percent of the vote.
Democrats flipped at least five seats in North Carolina, many of which were redrawn to favor Republicans.
Moore was a first-term representative, had previously served as a state legislator and helped redraw the district he lost. He was also the longest-serving speaker of the North Carolina House of Representatives.
Moore significantly outspent Womack, raising $3 million for his campaign compared with her $59,000.
Before launching her political campaign, Womack led a consulting group for business development and marketing.
The Daily Mail has reached out to Womack's attorney and campaign team for comment.
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