Breaking down the ballot: U.S. House District 14
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LaKesha Womack (left) and Tim Moore (right). Photos: Courtesy of candidates
One of North Carolina's most popular Republicans, Tim Moore, faces a challenge from Democrat LaKesha Womack in his run for a second U.S. congressional term in the 14th District.
Why it matters: Womack, who says she moved to North Carolina to work on Hillary Clinton's 2016 campaign, has an uphill battle. Republicans drew new political maps in 2023 that made this a GOP safe zone for Moore, the state's former long-serving House speaker, to pick up.
The intrigue: Womack has faced questions of whether she actually lives in the 14th District.
- The address tied to her voting registration is listed for rent on Zillow, WBTV reported. And she recently bought a house in the 12th District. But you don't have to live in a district to run in it — just the same state.
- While at a recent campaign rally, Womack was served a criminal summons for a pending felony charge related to a rental car she allegedly did not return in 2019.
Over the years, Moore has collected his own list of scandals, including a dismissed lawsuit over an affair and getting a member of the UNC Wilmington board removed when she didn't pick an old buddy of Moore's as chancellor, according to WHQR.
- But Moore has kept a more low-key profile during his time as a freshman congressman.
📍 This district covers parts of south Charlotte and northern Mecklenburg County and stretches through Gaston, Cleveland, Rutherford, Burke and part of Polk counties.
Axios sent questions to both candidates. Their answers were edited for length and punctuation.
Axios: What is the most pressing issue Congress should address in the next two years, and how would you tackle it?
Moore: Making life more affordable remains one of my top priorities.
- Congress must address the cost of housing, energy, and everyday necessities while creating an environment where businesses can grow and create better-paying jobs.
- In Congress, I have supported tax relief that lets families keep more of what they earn, policies that unleash American energy and efforts to rein in wasteful federal spending.
- I will continue working to lower costs, grow our economy, pursue policies that increase the supply of affordable housing, and make sure Washington is working for taxpayers, not against them.
Womack: Congress must address affordability while restoring accountability for how taxpayer dollars are spent.
- Working families should not struggle to afford groceries, housing, health care and transportation while corporations report record profits.
- I would prioritize establishing Medicare for All, lowering prescription drug prices and advancing tax policies that provide meaningful relief to working families.
- I would also demand stronger congressional oversight of federal spending and executive actions to ensure taxpayer dollars serve the public interest.
- We need an economy that works for everyone, not just those at the top.
Axios: What is the most pressing issue facing your district, and what would you do about it in Congress?
Moore: I would continue to advocate for targeted federal investments in critical infrastructure and disaster recovery, particularly where those investments help communities like ours rebuild, improve roads and utilities, and support long-term economic growth.
- At the same time, I would get rid of the waste, fraud and abuse when it comes to federal agency spending.
- Washington has to treat taxpayer dollars with the same fiscal responsibility as families and small businesses do.
- My goal is straightforward: protect taxpayers, make sure federal dollars are being used responsibly, and prioritize investments that have a direct impact on communities here in Western North Carolina.
Womack: The greatest challenge facing NC-14 is ensuring every child has access to a quality public education, regardless of their ZIP code.
- Our district includes rural communities and growing suburban areas where schools face different challenges, from inadequate funding and teacher shortages to limited access to technology and career training.
- In Congress, I would advocate for increased federal investment in public schools, competitive teacher salaries, expanded early childhood education, and stronger career and technical education programs.
- Education is the foundation of economic opportunity, and our communities cannot thrive without strong public schools. Every community deserves the resources to thrive.
Axios: On what issue would you be willing to break with your party?
Moore: Artificial intelligence has enormous potential to strengthen our economy and improve the way Americans live and work, but innovation must be accompanied by accountability.
- Congress should establish clear rules that protect Americans' privacy and personal data, guard against fraud and other malicious uses of AI, and ensure that the United States remains the global leader in this technology.
- At the same time, we should be careful not to impose regulations that stifle American innovation or put us at a disadvantage to countries like China.
- Government should use AI responsibly where it can improve efficiency and services, but important decisions affecting Americans should remain accountable to people, not simply be handed over to an algorithm.
Womack: Government accountability and fiscal responsibility. I will not support legislation simply because it has a Democratic sponsor, nor oppose a good idea because it comes from a Republican.
- I believe Congress must stop using government shutdowns as political leverage, end congressional stock trading, and exercise meaningful oversight regardless of which party controls the White House.
- I am also willing to challenge spending priorities that benefit political interests without delivering measurable results for taxpayers.
- My responsibility is to the people of NC-14, not party leadership. Good policy should matter more than political loyalty.
