In 14th US House District, all but 1 candidate says working families are struggling
To help inform voters in the March 3, 2026, election, this candidate questionnaire is available to be republished by local publications in North Carolina without any cost. Please consider subscribing to The Charlotte Observer to help make this coverage possible. This story focuses on the election for U.S. House District 14, which features Democrats Brent Caldwell, LaKesha Womack and Ahmid Kargbo. The Republican primary includes incumbent Rep. Tim Moore and Kate Barr, who has openly spoken about running in the GOP race because of the way the district is drawn.
The district wraps around the center of Charlotte, covering only slices in the north, south and west. It runs west to Gastonia and Shelby and north to Morganton.
The Charlotte Observer and Raleigh News and Observer asked all candidates in this race to complete a questionnaire to inform voters about their opinions on big issues facing voters.
Brent Caldwell
Political party: Democrat
Age as of March 3, 2026: 38 Campaign website: caldwellforcongress2026.com
Current occupation: Attorney
Professional experience: A North Carolina attorney with experience in real estate and corporate law, former judicial law clerk and a seasoned campaign staffer who has worked for Barack Obama, Cheri Bustos and Ron Klein. I also served as a labor organizer with SEIU Local 1199 and sit on the NC Democratic Party’s State Executive Committee.
Education: B.A., Philosophy, Ole Miss c/o 2010; M.Sc., London School of Economics, c/o 2014; J.D., Duke University, c/o 2018.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement.
Member of the NC Democratic Party State Executive Committee, former judicial law clerk on the NC Business Court, labor organizer with SEIU Local 1199, editor of progressive blog YellowDogWire.com and published columnist advocating for democratic reform and economic justice.
What would be your top priority if elected?
My top priority is lowering the cost of living, raising incomes and protecting families from economic shocks. I will fight for a public health insurance option, affordable housing, free childcare and strong public schools, as well as labor laws that protect workers in the age of AI and automation. I will also work to pass structural reforms to our economy and democracy to prevent today’s inequality from reemerging.
Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? We have a “K-shaped economy” where a few at the top are doing great but the majority of Americans are feeling the squeeze. Economic progress is concentrated in places like Charlotte and not evenly felt. Axios recently reported 59% of consumer spending comes from the top 20% of income earners. This is a “plutonomy.” Economic elites have distorted our government and economy in ways that are shortsighted and unsustainable. I aim to counter that to defend the middle class and the American Dream.
In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? Government shutdowns only began a few decades ago. Congress apparently isn’t mature enough to do its job, so legislation should be passed wherein if a budget is not agreed upon, then government continues to be funded at previous levels and Congressional pay is suspended and days off ceased until a budget is passed.
Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies?
I strongly support extending ACA subsidies and expanding Medicaid. I was in the House viewing gallery when Obamacare passed and consider it a landmark achievement. But, we must go further—Americans should have the choice to buy into Medicare or Medicaid or enroll in a public option to ensure affordable, high-quality care for all.
Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? The kind of people who seek the presidency have a level of ambition that makes them inherently dangerous. Our Founders understood this and gave Congress—not the president—the authority to declare war. We should honor that design and require congressional approval before military action.
Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I oppose Trump’s immigration tactics. Here, cruelty is the point—Trump funded ICE more than all other federal law enforcement combined because he and some of his supporters want to see masked, armed agents overpowering their perceived racial and political enemies. Having grown up in Mississippi, it is completely obvious to me what is happening and why. This is a backlash to Obama’s election, demographic change and changing social norms, analogous to what the South saw in the 1890s and 1950s.
Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? Generally, I believe states should have flexibility in shaping education policy so they can serve as laboratories of democracy. However, I support federal funding to guarantee that every child, regardless of where they live, has access to a quality education. My mother was a public school teacher and my mother-in-law just retired after forty years as a special education teacher, so this issue is especially important to me.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? I reject any faction of the Democratic Party that does not believe America should play a preeminent role in the world. I was born on a military base overseas into a military family and feel strongly America must remain the backbone of the global order—advancing human rights, free trade and ensuring competition among nations is through the peaceful pursuit of scientific, cultural and technological innovation, not through conquest or empire.
LaKesha Womack
Political party: Democrat
Age as of March 3, 2026: 48 Campaign website: womack4nc14.com
Current occupation: Business owner and Fractional Executive
Professional experience: Founded Womack Consulting Group in 2005 and currently serves as chief strategy officer at ASPIRE Community Capital
Education: Bachelor’s degree in Political Science from Vanderbilt University in 1999; currently pursuing a Master’s in Legal Studies at Vanderbilt’s Law School
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Charlotte Business Advisory Committee, Friends of Keep Charlotte Beautiful Board of Directors, Charlotte Aviation Academy, Charlotte Civic Leadership Academy, NC Rural Center Homegrown Leaders, Charlotte Community Building Initiative’s Leadership for Equity Capacity
What would be your top priority if elected?
My top priority if elected is to ensure access to affordable, high-quality health care while increasing accountability in how federal dollars are spent. Too often, federal spending is not aligned with the needs of America’s working families, leaving people paying more for care and basic necessities without real relief. I will focus on lowering health care costs and ensuring federal investments strengthen public education and support household stability and economic security.
Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? I see an economy that looks strong on paper but doesn’t feel that way for many working families facing rising costs and stagnant wages. We cannot measure success by markets alone while people struggle to afford health care, housing, education and transportation. I would align federal spending to lower everyday costs, invest in public education and workforce development, support small businesses and ensure economic growth delivers stability and opportunity for working families and communities.
In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? Preventing government shutdowns starts with electing leaders who put people over power and special interests. Congress must govern responsibly, negotiate in good faith and avoid partisan brinkmanship that disrupts essential services. Passing a budget is critical to stability for families, workers, businesses and communities, and it must reflect the real needs of working families. We cannot play political games with people’s lives; budgets must work for taxpayers who rely on them.
Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies?
I support protecting and strengthening Medicaid and Affordable Care Act subsidies because they ensure working families, seniors, people with disabilities and rural communities can access affordable health care. These programs also help keep rural and safety-net hospitals financially stable so they can provide essential and emergency services. Rather than weakening them, Congress should expand access, improve affordability and sustain the health care infrastructure communities rely on.
Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? Yes, the president should seek authorization from Congress before taking military action abroad, except in cases of immediate and direct threats to national security. We cannot send our sons and daughters into forever wars without the consent of voters, expressed through their elected representatives in Congress. Requiring congressional authorization upholds the Constitution, strengthens accountability, and ensures the American people have a voice in decisions of war and peace.
Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I do not support immigration enforcement tactics based on fear, racial profiling or broad actions that target families and workers instead of providing public safety. We need policies that focus on removing violent criminals and create a fair, orderly pathway to citizenship based on clear and consistent rules. The administration’s mass crackdown is having collateral effects on people with legal status, including citizens, causing family disruption and fear that harms entire communities.
Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? I believe states play an important role in overseeing public education, but they should not be left to do it alone. The federal government has a responsibility to ensure equity, protect civil rights and guarantee that every child, regardless of zip code, has access to a high-quality education. A strong partnership between states and the federal government is necessary to address funding gaps, uphold standards and ensure that public education truly serves all students and families.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue?
I disagree with my party when federal spending priorities feel disconnected from the realities of working families. Budgets should be judged by whether they lower costs, strengthen public education and health care, and improve household stability, not serve special interests. If elected, I will keep my district informed about spending priorities and encourage constituents to speak up so decisions reflect the people I represent.
Ahmid Kargbo
Political party: Democrat
Age as of March 3, 2026: 25 Campaign website: kargboforcongress.com
Current occupation: Unemployed
Professional experience: Information Technology at Bank of America for 3 years
Education: College certificates
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Speaking at town hall meetings, protesting.
What would be your top priority if elected?
Co-sponsoring the Medicare for All Act. High speed rail is also a necessity, and I will sponsor any bills that help create a more comprehensive system of public transit.
Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? Our economy is horrible for the working class and has been since the 1980s. Suburbia is a significant driver of our financial woes, and it costs us more to service than it produces in revenue. A study from the London School of Economics showed that America spends over $1 trillion a year on urban sprawl. Suburbs require the taxpayer to bail them out. Imposing much larger taxes on the rich and investing in transit-oriented design would significantly help improve the economy for the working class.
In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? The Medicare for All Act must be signed into law to ensure universal health coverage for every American. This would prevent the government from ever shutting down again over unjust increases to health care costs. While it is true that hundreds of thousands lose pay during shutdowns and vital services are impacted, the price of passing a budget should not be authoritarianism. Right now, Democrats are compromising with Republicans to, ultimately, increase ICE funding, and it is shameful.
Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies?
Medicare for All is the only answer. Moderate ‘solutions,’ like a public option, are inadequate. The people want and deserve a single-payer health care system. ACA subsidies should be extended, but even so, they are a half measure. Universal health care must be guaranteed to all Americans to prevent unnecessary deaths, bankruptcy, government shutdowns, and, to keep people healthy.
Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? This is sane-washing the current regime and ignoring the Constitution, which is very clear about this issue in Article I, Section 8. The real question is, “Should the President follow the Constitution?” to which I would answer emphatically, “Yes.” At the rate we are going, we’ll be asking if the president has the ability to open fire on peaceful protesters within the year.
Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I disagree vehemently with the Trump regime, DHS and ICE’s approach to immigration enforcement. U.S. citizens, like Dulce Consuelo Diaz Morales, have been kidnapped by ICE, even after presenting proper identification. Citizens are objectively being caught up in these illegal immigration crackdowns. The DHS and ICE must be abolished, and they are acting in clear defiance of the Bill of Rights.
Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? Public education should not be solely left to individual states. While each state should have the freedom to teach its own history, national standards are also necessary. Without them, GOP-led states will continue to teach parts of U.S. history inaccurately, such as claiming that the Civil War was fought over “states’ rights,” rather than slavery.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? There is a genocide happening in Palestine, and Netanyahu is a war criminal. These are things that many of our Democratic leaders, such as Gavin Newsom, Chuck Schumer, Cory Booker, as well as my opponent, Brent Caldwell, will not admit. Netanyahu needs to be tried as a war criminal in international court.
Kate Barr
Political party: Republican
Age as of March 3, 2026: 43 Campaign website: www.katebarrcanwin.com
Current occupation: I’m the founder of the Can’t Win Victory Fund and Fair Map Fight Club, two organizations focused on fixing one of the biggest problems in our democracy: rigged voting maps. My work helps people understand how gerrymandering affects their lives and how to fight back. Before politics, I was a behavioral scientist and small business owner, which shapes my evidence-based approach to public service.
Professional experience: I’m a behavioral scientist and former CEO of a nationally award-winning small business. I’ve spent my career studying how people actually behave and building systems that work in the real world. In recent years, I’ve focused on civic engagement and democracy reform, founding organizations that help voters understand gerrymandering and reclaim political power.
Education: I’m a two-time graduate of the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, where I studied Biology and Spanish and later earned a Master of Public Health focused on health behavior and education. I also attended the North Carolina School of Science and Mathematics. I’m an NC public schools kid.
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. I’ve worked for years to combat gerrymandering and voter suppression in North Carolina. In 2024, I ran for state senate in District 37 through my “Kate Barr Can’t Win” campaign to expose how rigged maps deny voters accountability. Locally, I’ve served on the Davidson Planning Board and Sustainability Committee, led the Davidson K-8 PTO, served on nonprofit boards and was named Charlottean of the Year in 2025.
What would be your top priority if elected?
My top priority is passing national legislation to ban partisan gerrymandering. Rigged maps insulate politicians from voters and block progress on nearly every issue. Fair maps restore competition and accountability. Close behind are eliminating federal income taxes on the first $100,000 a household earns and fixing health care costs by restoring ACA subsidies and pushing for meaningful cost reform.
Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? Families are falling behind. Wages are flat while housing, health care, child care and groceries keep rising. Improving the economy starts with putting more money back in workers’ pockets. That means eliminating federal income tax on the first $100,000 earned and ensuring corporations and the wealthiest Americans pay their fair share.
In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? Passing a budget is one of Congress’s most basic responsibilities. Government shutdowns are failures of leadership that hurt workers, families, veterans and small businesses. Congress must stop using the budget as a political weapon and return to regular order: passing budgets on time, negotiating in good faith and compromising when necessary. A functioning government is the minimum voters should expect.
Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies?
Health care is a human right and essential to a strong economy. I support protecting and expanding Medicaid and restoring Affordable Care Act subsidies so families can get care without financial ruin. Further, we can afford universal access to health care if we choose to prioritize people over tax breaks for the wealthiest and excessive spending that fails to improve everyday lives.
Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? Yes. The Constitution gives Congress, not the President, the power to declare war. Military action should never happen without transparency, debate and accountability to the public. Congress must reclaim its role in authorizing the use of force, set clear objectives, comply with international law and prioritize civilian protection. Democracy depends on Congress doing its job.
Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I disagree with Trump’s tactics. Trump-era enforcement prioritized fear over fairness, using mass raids and family separation that did not make communities safer. Yes, there were serious collateral effects, including legal residents and citizens afraid to report crimes or access services. Immigration policy should be lawful and orderly, but humane. We need expanded immigration courts, worker-protecting visa programs and an end to wasteful, harmful enforcement tactics.
Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? No. States matter, but leaving oversight entirely to states has produced deep inequities. Where a child lives should not determine education quality. I’m a product of North Carolina public schools and come from a family of educators. The federal government must set basic standards, protect civil rights and ensure equal access to resources, while allowing states flexibility in how they meet those goals.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? Yes. I’m a progressive who entered the Republican primary because gerrymandered maps guarantee a Republican wins my district’s general election. I disagree with how Congress has handed power to the executive branch, including war-making and tariffs. We cannot wait for Congress to grow a backbone. We cannot wait for Congress to find a conscience. We must act now to save our democracy.
Tim Moore
Political party: Republican
Age as of March 3, 2026: 55
Campaign website: timmoore.com
Current occupation: Member of Congress
Professional experience: Attorney for more than 30 years, Member of the NC House for 22 years, Speaker of the NC House for 10 of those years
Education: Juris Doctor, Oklahoma City University School of Law; Bachelor of Arts, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Please list any notable government or civic involvement. Currently serves as U.S. Representative for North Carolina’s 14th Congressional District; Member of the NC House for 22 years, Speaker of the NC House for 10 of those years
What would be your top priority if elected?
I’ll continue fighting for North Carolinians who are being crushed by inflation and rising costs. We’ve made significant progress with the Working Families Tax Cuts, but there’s more work to do. That means expanding opportunity and closing the cost-of-living gap across our country. Congress must immediately address the housing affordability crisis and inflation. We need to continue creating a pro-growth economic environment that encourages businesses to expand and create better-paying jobs.
Republican and Democratic candidates often explain the state of the economy differently. How do you see it and what, if anything, would you do that you believe would improve it? It’s simple. Democrats think you grow the economy by growing government. Republicans believe in people, not bureaucracy. I believe we grow the economy by letting the private sector lead. That’s how we create jobs and raise wages.
In 2025, Congress caused the longest government shutdown in U.S. history. What should members of Congress do to prevent this in the future and how important is it for Congress to pass a budget? To avoid a shutdown, we need a real budget, and that starts with Democrats being willing to compromise. Growing government and dependency won’t solve our problems. I won’t hand my children a weaker country buried in debt. Congress must pass a budget that reflects the real priorities of the American people, like restoring American manufacturing, increasing workforce development and putting the American Dream within reach of every working family.
Lawmakers have been at odds on Capitol Hill over health care coverage for Americans. Where do you stand on Medicaid coverage and Affordable Care Act subsidies?
The so-called Affordable Care Act hasn’t been affordable at all. It’s lined the pockets of big insurance executives while leaving families with skyrocketing premiums and fewer choices. We need a free-market solution that puts patients in control. In Congress, I’ve worked to pass the Lower Health Care Premiums for All Act to expand access to lower-cost coverage and efforts to crack down on middlemen who drive up drug prices. Families deserve real choice and real savings.
Should the president go before Congress before taking military action in foreign countries? The Constitution gives Congress the power to declare war, and I believe any long-term military engagement should involve congressional approval. That said, the President must have the authority to act quickly when there’s an immediate threat to American lives or national security. I support President Trump using that authority when necessary, but I also believe Congress must be part of the conversation when sustained action is on the table.
Do you support the tactics that the Trump administration has used in immigration enforcement? Do you believe the immigration crackdown has had collateral effects for residents with legal status? I support enforcing the law. If someone is in this country illegally and violates our laws, they should be held accountable. Keeping citizens safe at home, at school and in their communities should be the basic function of all levels of government.
Do you believe oversight of public education should be left up to individual states? As Speaker of the North Carolina House, I led efforts to raise teacher pay and increase funding across all sectors of education. I believe education decisions should be made by parents and the officials they elect at the state level. Bureaucrats in Washington do not know what works best for every community. States are better positioned to make decisions that reflect the needs of students, families and local schools.
Is there an issue on which you disagree with your party? What is your position on that issue? While many worthy policies are taking center stage in Washington, I will always advocate that our focus stays on restoring the American Dream for working families. That means making sure they can find good-paying jobs, afford a home, raise their kids and plan for the future. If we lose sight of that, we’re missing the mark. Everything I do in Congress is grounded in making life better for the people of North Carolina’s 14th District.
