Several Democrats elected Tuesday are facing criminal charges, and one has a felony conviction.
Lakesha Womack, who has pledged to bring an “equity-focused lens” to legislation, defeated Republican incumbent Tim Moore in North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District, winning 51.1% of the vote to his 48.9%.
Last month, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office served Womack, 49, with a felony warrant over allegations that she failed to return a rental car. A 2019 police report says she rented the vehicle on Oct. 7 and was expected to return it on Oct. 23, but did not. Attempts to find her were unsuccessful. The car was valued at $20,000.
In an Oct. 12 video, Womack acknowledged making a “mistake” and said she owed the rental company money. Her court appearance on the felony charge is scheduled for Tuesday.
Ericka Lomick, a Texas Democrat who won a state House race weeks after suspending her campaign, also has a criminal history that could affect whether she can take office.
Federal court records show Lomick was convicted in 2011 of mortgage fraud, bank fraud and conspiracy to commit money laundering. She was sentenced to 63 months in prison. In February, she denied having a criminal record.
Texas law says candidates for elected office cannot be eligible if they have been convicted of a felony. Tarrant County Democratic Party Executive Director Reyne Telles said party officials are consulting with lawyers, Lomick and election officials to interpret the law and decide how to proceed. Alan Blaylock, the Republican candidate Lomick ran against, has said his team is working to ensure House District 93 has an eligible representative.
LaMonica McIver also won re-election to New Jersey’s 10th Congressional District on Tuesday. She was charged in May 2025 with two counts of assaulting, resisting or impeding federal officers or employees.
The complaint alleges McIver tried to prevent the arrest of another protester during an anti-ICE demonstration outside a New Jersey detention center. It also alleges she struck a Homeland Security Investigations agent with her forearm, tried to restrain him, and pushed and struck an ICE officer. Her case is ongoing.
Anthony Ealy won re-election to the Missouri House on Tuesday. The following day, the 32-year-old Democrat was arrested in Jefferson City and charged with fourth-degree assault and disturbing the peace.
According to a probable-cause statement, witnesses told police that Ealy was yelling outside a business while a family made arrangements for a deceased relative. One person approached him to calm the situation, the statement says. Ealy allegedly mentioned having a gun, lunged toward the person and repeatedly threatened to kill them, telling them to call the police.
State Democrats had urged Ealy not to seek re-election, but he ran anyway. Marc Powers, chief of staff for the Missouri House minority leader’s office, said Ealy was removed from committees in the spring so he could address personal issues. Powers added that there are no plans to restore his committee assignments for the next session.
