The Political Beat Candidate Guide: U.S. House of Representatives District 14
District 14 includes Burke, Cleveland, and Gaston Counties, as well as part of Mecklenburg County, in the United States House of Representatives.
Republican candidate Tim Moore is running to maintain the spot he has held since 2023. He will face Democrat LaKesha Womack in the midterms.
Tim Moore (R)
Why are you running?
I am running for the same reason that I first ran for office years ago, to make North Carolina the best state in the country to live and work in.
During my time in the North Carolina House of Representatives, including ten years where I served as Speaker, we have seen a complete transformation in our state from one that struggled with mounting debt to one that is thriving and leading the nation in attracting good-paying jobs. I am proud to bring the same common sense policies that made our state successful to Washington and make our country stronger for everyone.
Is it time for the Iran war to end?
The IRGC is a tyrannical regime that has imprisoned, tortured, and murdered thousands of Iranians who opposed their rule and would no doubt use nuclear weapons against the US and our allies in the region if they were to acquire them. I believe that whether the President chooses to resolve the conflict through diplomacy or military action, it must be done swiftly, decisively and ultimately in a way that keeps the American people safe and out of a protracted conflict in the Middle East.
What legislation will you pursue to bring down costs?
I proudly voted for the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, which eliminated taxes on Tips, Overtime, and Social Security, along with making tax deductions permanent for local job creators and expanding the Child Tax Credit. I also sponsored bipartisan legislation to bring down homeownership cost down through eliminating unnecessary regulations and by allowing first-time homebuyers the ability to utilize funds from a 529 account to help make a downpayment on a home. I'll continue to advocate for legislation that provides financial relief to American taxpayers.
How would you assess President Donald Trump's second term so far?
The President's administration in his second term has brought a significant amount of policy successes that have benefited the American people such as the Working Families Tax Cuts Act, ending the out-of-control immigration and drug trafficking crisis at our Southern Border, and reducing federal spending. There have also been challenges with FEMA and Hurricane Helene related-issues that shouldn't have ever occurred. Thankfully, Secretary of Homeland Security, Markwayne Mullin, has been far more responsive in addressing the problems that our communities still face in the aftermath of Hurricane Helene.
What sets you apart from your opponents?
I have a proven record of lowering costs and advocating for commonsense policy solutions that put North Carolina families first. There are many differences between me and my opponent but none as starkly as it pertains to views on the greatness of the American free market system. I believe that the government which governs least governs best, and that we should strive to reduce excessive taxes, burdensome regulations, and government interference in the free market system. My opponent, however, has embraced and stated many ideals of the Democratic Socialist agenda, and based on a number of her comments and social media posts defends these radical socialist policies that if ever enacted would destroy what has made America the greatest nation in the history of the world. Additionally, I was born, raised and still reside in this district I represent, where I raised a family and built a business. I feel that makes me more qualified to better understand the needs of people in this community than my opponent, who does not even live here.
LaKesha Womack (D)
Why are you running?
I am running to represent North Carolina's 14th Congressional District because the people of this district deserve a representative who shows up, listens to their concerns, and fights for policies in Washington that improve their everyday lives. Families across this district are working hard, but too many are struggling with the rising costs of groceries, gas, housing, and health care. I am running because I believe Congress should focus on making life more affordable, protecting access to health care and Social Security, and ensuring our tax dollars are used responsibly. I want to bring accountability and affordability back to Washington and make sure the people of NC-14 have a representative who listens, learns, and leads for them.
Is it time for the Iran war to end?
Yes. I believe it is time to end this war and prioritize diplomacy. Congress has a constitutional responsibility to oversee the use of military force and taxpayer dollars, and the American people deserve transparency about our objectives, the cost of this conflict, and the strategy for bringing it to a conclusion.
What legislation will you pursue to bring down costs?
One of my top priorities will be reducing health care costs. I support creating a public health insurance option that gives individuals and small businesses access to affordable coverage, lowering prescription drug costs, and increasing federal support for rural hospitals and community health centers. This is not just a health care issue; it is an economic issue. Rural hospitals are struggling with the cost of uncompensated care and keeping essential services available in their communities. Small businesses are also struggling with rising insurance premiums and often cannot compete with larger corporations when providing health benefits. Expanding access to affordable coverage would reduce the burden on rural hospitals, lower the amount businesses have to subsidize for employee health care, and allow more people to receive preventive care before a health problem becomes an expensive emergency. A healthier population means healthier workers, stronger businesses, more financially stable hospitals, and ultimately stronger local economies.
How would you assess President Donald Trump's second term so far
I believe the administration's economic policies have made life more difficult for many working families. Gas prices are substantially higher than they were a year ago, inflation has increased, and the Federal Reserve has found that tariffs contributed to higher consumer prices. At the same time, changes to Medicaid and SNAP are projected to reduce assistance available to lower-income households. My larger concern is accountability. Regardless of who occupies the White House, Congress has an obligation to provide meaningful oversight of executive power and federal spending. I do not believe the 119th Congress has exercised that responsibility aggressively enough. The people I meet across this district are worried about paying for groceries, health care, housing, and gas. Those concerns should be Washington's priority, not vanity projects and forever wars.
What sets you apart from your opponent?
One of the clearest differences between my opponent and me is our vision for how we grow the economy and who should benefit from that growth. I believe we build a stronger economy from the middle out by making sure people who work can earn a livable wage, afford a home, see a doctor without fearing bankruptcy, and buy groceries without putting basic necessities on a credit card. I also believe government has an important responsibility to ensure fair competition, protect consumers, safeguard our food and water, and hold corporations accountable when their practices harm communities. Economic growth should not simply be measured by how well corporations or the stock market are doing. We should measure it by whether working families, small businesses, farmers, seniors, and communities across Western North Carolina can thrive.
