Antwon Womack
Antwon B. Womack (born c. 1988) was a candidate for the Birmingham Board of Education, District 6 in the 2009 election.
Womack dropped out of Wenonah High School as a freshman in 2004. He previously ran for Mayor of Tarrant in 2008, but garnered only 4 votes.
In his 2009 Board of Education campaign (motto: "Education Does Matter") he claimed to be two years older than he was, to have graduated from West End High School, and to have a bachelor's degree in elementary education from Alabama A&M University. The Birmingham News detected the lies and discovered that his actual residence was in Fairfield. Womack admitted to the lies about his age and education, but announced that he did live in District 6 and would remain in the race. The Birmingham News quoted him as saying "My values are not lies. It's just the information I provided to the people is false." 1
Two days later he scheduled another press conference in order to announce that he was dropping out because "This race has just gotten to be too much for me." 2 He did not appear for the announced press conference. The following Sunday, August 22, Womack changed his mind again, issuing the following statement:
Today I am re-assuring the voters of my district that has expressed their continuing support in my campaign in spite of my false statements about my pass. I will not comment publicly about my allegations anymore, however now is time for me to express my thoughts on why I am in this race. Early part of the year I questioned about running for the school board and which district to run for, and also talked with my friends and now supporters that encouraged me to enter the race. 3
He went on to identify Carole Smitherman and LaShunda Scales as people who have encouraged him to enter the race and supported his campaign. Both Birmingham City Council candidates disclaimed any such support.
On his Facebook page, Womack gave himself the title of "Bishop". In an error-riddled essay supporting his application for a "Netroots Nation" scholarship, he called himself a "Doctor" and claimed to hold the office of "Director of Youth Affairs" for the Alabama Young Democrats. According to officials of AYD, he has never held any office with that organization and the title he claims has never existed.
In the August 25 election, Womack came in distant fourth with 117 votes (3.4%), which was 657 votes behind the third place finisher.
Notes
- Leech-August 19, 2009
- Leech-August 21, 2009
- Stewart-August 22, 2009
References
- Leech, Marie (August 18, 2009) "Birmingham school board candidate lied about biography, records show and he admits." Birmingham News
- Leech, Marie (August 19, 2009) "Birmingham, Alabama school board candidate Antwon Womack admits lying about background but vows not to quit." Birmingham News
- Leech, Marie (August 21, 2009) "Birmingham school board candidate who lied about bio doesn't show up for own press conference saying he was quitting." Birmingham News
- Stewart, Sherrel Wheeler (August 22, 2009) "School board candidate Antwon Womack says he's staying in the race afterall." Birmingham News
External links
- Antwon Womack campaign website