{"biography":"Lakesha Shanese Womack is the Democratic nominee for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina\u2019s 14th Congressional District, a seat that will be contested in the November\u202f3,\u202f2026 general election. The U.S. House requires candidates to be at least 25 years old, a U.S. citizen for seven years, and an inhabitant of the state they wish to represent; Womack meets all constitutional criteria and secured the Democratic nomination by winning the March\u202f3,\u202f2026 primary with 52.2% of the vote (20,586 votes) against Brent Caldwell and Ahmid Kargbo\u30101\u2020L31-L38\u3011. \n\nBorn and raised in Alabama, Womack earned a high\u2011school diploma from the Alabama School of Math and Science before attending Vanderbilt University, where she received a bachelor\u2019s degree in political science in 1999\u30101\u2020L13-L15\u3011. She is currently pursuing a Master of Legal Studies at Vanderbilt Law School, as noted on her campaign biography and the Election Hub profile\u30104\u2020L13-L16\u3011\u30108\u2020L31-L34\u3011. At 47 years old, she brings both academic credentials and extensive professional experience to her congressional bid\u30104\u2020L1-L3\u3011. \n\nWomack\u2019s career spans consulting, finance, nonprofit leadership, and media. She founded Womack Consulting Group in 2005, providing brand management, leadership training, and strategic planning to a range of clients\u301016\u2020L9-L13\u3011. She serves as Chief Strategy Officer for ASPIRE Community Capital, an emerging community\u2011development financial institution that expands capital access for under\u2011capitalized entrepreneurs\u30101\u2020L19-L21\u3011\u30107\u2020L31-L34\u3011. Her r\u00e9sum\u00e9 also includes roles as CEO of Thrive Creative Community, executive producer of the \u201cLaKesha Womack\u201d show, and deacon in the African Methodist Episcopal Zion Church\u30101\u2020L17-L20\u3011. \n\nPolitical experience includes work on Hillary Clinton\u2019s 2016 presidential campaign, where she helped build capacity for North Carolina from South Carolina, and service on the Podium Operations Team for the 2024 Democratic National Convention\u30101\u2020L41-L44\u3011. She has acted as a strategist for local and state races, facilitated civic\u2011engagement workshops, and served on advisory boards such as the Charlotte Business Inclusion Advisory Committee and Friends of Keep Charlotte Beautiful\u30101\u2020L21-L23\u3011. \n\nWomack\u2019s platform emphasizes affordable health care, economic mobility, and robust public education. She advocates protecting and strengthening the Affordable Care Act, raising the federal minimum wage, expanding access to capital through CDFIs, and investing in affordable housing and rural hospitals\u301015\u2020L1-L30\u3011. In interviews she stresses rebuilding federal agencies with equity and listening to constituents to shape policy priorities\u301010\u2020L45-L53\u3011. \n\nBeyond policy, Womack is an ordained minister, a published author of more than twenty books, and a host of the \u201cCourageous Conversations\u201d podcast. She leads several community initiatives, including the Black Seed Network and the #RethinkingChurch Strategies collective, reflecting a blend of faith\u2011based service and entrepreneurial leadership\u301016\u2020L23-L30\u3011. Her campaign is run through the website womack4nc14.com, which provides opportunities for donations, volunteering, and voter outreach\u30107\u2020L1-L8\u3011.\n\n## Sources\n- [1] [Lakesha Womack - Ballotpedia](https://ballotpedia.org/Lakesha_Womack)\n- [4] [Lakesha Womack | The Election Hub](https://www.theelectionhub.org/mecklenburg-county/lakesha-womack/2026-primary/north-carolina)\n- [5] [LaKesha Womack (@lakeshawomack)](https://www.facebook.com/lakeshawomack/)\n- [7] [LaKesha Womack for NC-14 | Join the Movement for Progress](https://www.womack4nc14.com)\n- [8] [Meet the Candidate | Get Involved Today \u2014 LaKesha Womack for NC-14](https://www.womack4nc14.com/bio)\n- [10] [The Political Beat: District 14 Democrat candidate LaKesha Womack discusses campaign, priorities \u2013 WSOC TV](https://www.wsoctv.com/news/local/political-beat-district-14-democrat-candidate-lakesha-womack-discusses-campaign-priorities/JE7W5QMXQBBMBOGPFE5EJNKK34/)\n- [13] [The Political Beat: District 14 Democrat candidate LaKesha Womack discusses campaign, priorities](https://www.yahoo.com/news/articles/political-beat-district-14-democrat-160607207.html)\n- [15] [LaKesha Womack | Issues & Priorities for North Carolina\u2019s 14th Congressional District \u2014 LaKesha Womack for NC-14](https://www.womack4nc14.com/issues)\n- [16] [LaKesha Womack - Charlotte, North Carolina, Entrpreneur, BA (Political Science), Vanderbilt University | about.me](https://about.me/lakeshawomack)\n- [17] [Lakesha Womack wins Democratic nomination for U.S. House in North Carolina\u2019s 14th Congressional District - WTOP News](https://wtop.com/news/2026/03/lakesha-womack-wins-democratic-nomination-for-u-s-house-in-north-carolinas-14th-congressional-district/)\n- [20] [North Carolina House District 14 Primary Election Live Results 2026 - NBC News](https://www.nbcnews.com/politics/2026-primary-elections/north-carolina-us-house-district-14-results)","campaigns":[{"contest":"us_house_014","county":"burke","county_count":6,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Nov 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Us House Of Representatives District 14"},{"contest":"us_house_014","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"Tue, 03 Mar 2026 00:00:00 GMT","pgr":"general","state":"NC","title":"Us House Of Representatives District 14"}],"cf_filings":[],"firstname":"Lakesha","fullname":"Lakesha Shanese Womack","lastname":"Womack","middlename":"Shanese","office_history":[{"campaigns":[{"contest":"us_house_014","contest_title":"Us House Of Representatives District 14","county":"burke","county_count":6,"electiondate":"2026-11-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"us_house","office_title":"U.S. Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},{"contest":"us_house_014","contest_title":"Us House Of Representatives District 14","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"us_house","office_title":"U.S. Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"}],"county":null,"cycles":[{"general":{"contest":"us_house_014","contest_title":"Us House Of Representatives District 14","county":null,"county_count":0,"electiondate":"2026-03-03","office_county":null,"office_key":"us_house","office_title":"U.S. Representative","party":"DEM","pgr":"general","state":"NC"},"party":"DEM","primary":null,"term":null,"year":2026}],"office_key":"us_house","office_title":"U.S. Representative","state":"NC","terms":[]}],"summary":"Lakesha Womack is the Democratic candidate for NC\u201114 U.S. House, a consultant and community leader with a Vanderbilt education and experience on national campaigns.","terms":[],"token":"14a3cf6c7e196d93"}