Frank M. Conaway Jr.

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Frank M. Conaway Jr.
Conaway in 2020
Member of the Maryland House of Delegates
from the 40th district
Assumed office
January 10, 2007
Preceded byMarshall Goodwin
Personal details
Born (1963-01-04) January 4, 1963 (age 61)
Baltimore, Maryland, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Spouse
Latesa Elaine Thomas
​
​
(div. 2006)​
Children3
Parent
  • Frank M. Conaway Sr. (father)
RelativesBelinda Conaway (sister)

Frank Melvin Conaway Jr.[1] (born January 4, 1963) is an American politician who serves as a member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing the 40th district.

Early life and education[edit]

Conaway was born in Baltimore[2] to Frank M. Conaway Sr., who was a member of the Maryland House of Delegates and later as the clerk of the Baltimore City Circuit Court,[3] and Mary Conaway, who served as the Baltimore Register of Wills.[4] He attended Northwestern High School and later attended Howard University and Morgan State University from 1980 to 1984, and graduated from Sojourner–Douglass College in 1999 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in business administration.[2]

Career[edit]

After attending Morgan State, Conaway worked for construction firms Monumental Paint Contractors and Allied Bendix Corporation until 1986, when he started his own company, Frank M. Conaway Jr. & Associates Co., and replica kit-car business F-Dreams, Inc.,[2] which Conaway says was bankrupted by the North American Free Trade Agreement.[5] Afterwards, he worked as a sales representative for various companies, including Olan Mills, from 1989 to 2005.[2]

In 1992, Conaway and his father accused Olan Mills of firing them after Conaway Sr. caught the company using a secret racial code to alert employees when they were scheduled to work at Black churches, which the company used to steer the Conaways away from more lucrative white parishes. Olan Mills defended their use of racial codes as a "sales tool so that employees can take in the proper portrait samples for the community we're serving as customers". Following his firing, Conaway Jr. filed a discrimination complaint with the company.[6]

Conaway is the author of the book Baptist Gnostic Christian Eubonic Kundalinion Spiritual Ki Do Hermeneutic Metaphysics: The Word: Hermeneutics[7] and The 20 Pennies a Day Diet Plan.[8]

Political career[edit]

In 1999, Conaway unsuccessfully ran for President of the Baltimore City Council, losing to Sheila Dixon in the Democratic primary.[9]

In 2006, Conaway successfully ran for the Maryland House of Delegates in District 40.[10] He was sworn in on January 10, 2007, and has been a member of the Judiciary Committee during his entire tenure.[2]

Personal life[edit]

Conaway was married to his wife, Latesa Elaine Thomas, and had three children—Frank III, Kelly, and Lacynda—prior to their divorce in 2006.[1] In 2003, Thomas obtained a domestic violence protective order against Conaway, stating in court documents that he had "threatened to kill" her and had "pushed her face through a back door window".[1]

According to court documents obtained by the Baltimore City Paper, Conaway has bipolar disorder, for which he has been taking medication.[1]

YouTube videos[edit]

In late October 2014, Conaway received significant attention after he uploaded more than 50 videos to YouTube. In the videos, which were characterised as "rambling" and "bizarre", he talked about cryptograms in Ancient Egyptian carvings, the Book of Revelation, talking horses, Rubik's Cube, Sasquatch and Yeti. He also wondered if he was a hologram, referred to himself as "meta", advocated his weight loss book The 20 Pennies a Day Diet Plan by talking about canned chicken, Arizona Diet Green Tea and sugar free hard candies and promoted his other books, Trapezium Giza Pyramid Artificial Black Hole Theory, Baptist Gnostic Christian Eubonic Kundalinion Spiritual Ki Do Hermeneutic Metaphysics: The Word: Hermeneutics and Christian Kundalini Science- Proof of the Soul- Cryptogram Solution of Egyptian Stela 55001- & Opening the Hood of Ra.[11][12][13]

In a phone interview with The Baltimore Sun, Conaway claimed to have deciphered artwork at the Walters Art Museum and said that it was "part of my duties as a Christian" to try and "spread the knowledge that I have". He also talked about Moses, Egyptian Obelisks, the "Frankenfish", the Fibonacci number and faces on Mars and said that he did not "believe" in evolution, arguing that "Darwin [said] that we descended from monkeys... I haven't seen any evidence to say man came from a monkey."[11]

The videos appeared to have been filmed in the Baltimore City Hall mail room, where he had also worked since being hired as a clerk at the Municipal Post Office by Comptroller Joan Pratt in 2006. In November 2014, he resigned from his City Hall job and took down the videos.[12][13] They have been preserved by web developer Chris Cook.[14]

Despite widespread mockery and a general election write-in campaign from State Delegate Shawn Z. Tarrant, who had finished fourth in the Democratic primary for the three-seat district (there were no Republican candidates for the district),[15] Conaway was re-elected in the 2014 elections.[12]

Political positions[edit]

Crime and policing[edit]

In August 2010, Conaway used campaign funds to purchase and give away 500 cameras to Baltimore residents to "snap pictures of crime in progress".[16]

In 2013, Conaway voted for a bill to repeal the death penalty.[17]

During the 2015 legislative session, Conaway introduced legislation requiring the attorney general of Maryland to investigate any case involving a police-involved death. The bill received an unfavorable committee report.[18] He also introduced a bill that would double max payouts in police brutality cases, which passed and was signed into law by Governor Larry Hogan.[19]

In 2016, Conaway introduced a bill that would allow video cameras in criminal sentencing hearings by filing a written request with the clerk of court. The bill received an unfavorable committee report.[20]

During the 2019 legislative session, Conaway voted for a bill that would allow Johns Hopkins University to create its own private police force.[21]

In 2023, Conaway introduced legislation backed by State's Attorney Ivan Bates to increase penalties for illegally carrying a handgun.[22] The bill was later incorporated into the Gun Safety Bill of 2023, which was passed by the Maryland General Assembly in April,[23] and signed into law by Governor Wes Moore in May 2023.[24]

Economy and budget[edit]

During the 2007 legislative session, Conaway was one of two Democratic state delegates to vote against a bill cutting $500 million from the state budget.[25]

In 2014, Conaway voted for a bill to raise the state's minimum wage to $10.10 by 2017.[26]

Gun policy[edit]

During the 2013 legislative session, Conaway voted for the Firearm Safety Act, a bill that placed restrictions on firearm purchases and magazine capacity in semi-automatic rifles.[27]

Social issues[edit]

During the 2012 legislative session, Conaway voted for the Civil Marriage Protection Act, which legalized same-sex marriage in Maryland.[28]

Taxes[edit]

During the 2013 legislative session, Conaway voted for a bill to index the state's fuel taxes to inflation to pay for state transportation projects.[29]

Electoral history[edit]

Baltimore City Council President Democratic primary election, 1999[30]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Sheila Dixon 59,565 56.6
Democratic Nathan Irby 21,983 20.9
Democratic Frank M. Conaway Jr. 16,704 15.9
Democratic Shelton J. Stewart 2,822 2.7
Democratic Kelley C. Brohawn 2,539 2.4
Democratic David G. S. Greene 1,561 1.5
Maryland House of Delegates District 40 Democratic primary election, 2006[31]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank M. Conaway Jr. 5,889 21.0
Democratic Barbara A. Robinson (incumbent) 5,889 21.0
Democratic Shawn Z. Tarrant 4,126 14.7
Democratic Antonio Hayes 4,046 14.4
Democratic Marshall T. Goodwin (incumbent) 3,031 10.8
Democratic Nolan Rollins 2,181 7.8
Democratic Mark E. Hughes 2,151 7.7
Democratic Sarah Louise Matthews 1,336 4.8
Democratic Kinji Pierre Scott 685 2.4
Maryland House of Delegates District 40 election, 2006[32]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank M. Conaway Jr. 16,432 32.4
Democratic Barbara A. Robinson (incumbent) 16,032 31.6
Democratic Shawn Z. Tarrant 13,921 27.5
Green Jan E. Danworth 4,135 8.2
Write-in 177 0.3
Maryland House of Delegates District 40 election, 2010[33]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Frank M. Conaway, Jr. (incumbent) 19,028 37.5
Democratic Barbara A. Robinson (incumbent) 15,988 31.5
Democratic Shawn Z. Tarrant (incumbent) 15,378 30.3
Write-in 324 0.6
Maryland House of Delegates District 40 election, 2014[34]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Antonio Hayes 14,430 31.7
Democratic Frank M. Conaway Jr. (incumbent) 13,968 30.7
Democratic Barbara A. Robinson (incumbent) 13,946 30.6
Democratic Shawn Tarrant (incumbent, write-in) 2,814 6.2
Write-in 357 0.8
Maryland House of Delegates District 40 election, 2018[35]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Nick Mosby (incumbent) 19,726 30.5
Democratic Melissa Wells 18,952 29.3
Democratic Frank M. Conaway, Jr. (incumbent) 16,767 25.9
Green Joshua Harris 8,833 13.6
Write-in 485 0.7
Maryland House of Delegates District 40 election, 2022[36]
Party Candidate Votes %
Democratic Melissa Wells (incumbent) 20,872 32.7
Democratic Frank M. Conaway, Jr. (incumbent) 20,052 31.4
Democratic Marlon Amprey (incumbent) 19,778 31.0
Republican Zulieka A. Baysmore 2,852 4.5
Write-in 328 0.5

Works[edit]

  • Baptist Gnostic Christian Eubonic Kundalinion Spiritual Ki Do Hermeneutic Metaphysics: The Word, iUniverse, 2001. ISBN 9780595206780
  • The 20 Pennies a Day Diet Plan, Lulu.com, 2004. ISBN 9781300270089

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d Smith, Van (January 16, 2023). "Two young Conaways, scions of Baltimore political dynasty, face drug-dealing charges". Baltimore City Paper. Archived from the original on February 26, 2021. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c d e "Frank M. Conaway, Jr., Maryland State Delegate". Maryland Manual On-Line. Maryland State Archives. April 19, 2021. Archived from the original on March 15, 2021. Retrieved May 7, 2021.
  3. ^ Kelly, Jacques (February 15, 2015). "Frank M. Conaway Sr. dies". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  4. ^ "Mary W. Conaway, Part of Conaway Political Dynasty, Dies at 75". Baltimore Afro-American. September 6, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  5. ^ "Frank Conaway Jr". Baltimore City Paper. September 21, 2011. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  6. ^ "Ex-lawmaker claims he was fired over code Conaway accused photo chain of using secret racial signal". The Baltimore Sun. May 16, 1992. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  7. ^ Conaway Jr., Frank (November 2001). Baptist Gnostic Christian Eubonic Kundalinion Spiritual Ki Do Hermeneutic Metaphysics: The Word: Hermeneutics. iUniverse. ISBN 9780595206780.
  8. ^ Conaway Jr., Frank (2004). The 20 Pennies a Day Diet Plan. Lulu.com. ISBN 9781300270089.
  9. ^ Fields, Reginald (September 13, 2003). "Baltimore's Conaways growing into a dynasty". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  10. ^ Fuller, Nicole (September 3, 2006). "Crowded field looks familiar in District 40". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  11. ^ a b Scharper, Julie (October 22, 2014). "State Del. Frank M. Conaway Jr. removes rambling videos from YouTube". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on June 5, 2020. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  12. ^ a b c Reutter, Mark (November 5, 2014). "Del. Frank Conaway, of rambling videos fame, resigns from city post". Baltimore Brew. Archived from the original on December 7, 2014. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  13. ^ a b Broadwater, Luke (November 5, 2014). "Del. Frank Conaway Jr. resigns from City Hall job amid investigation". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on April 11, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  14. ^ "Conaway-update". www.chriscrook.io. Archived from the original on March 1, 2018. Retrieved July 15, 2019.
  15. ^ Smith, Van (October 24, 2014). "Maryland state Del. Shawn Tarrant launches write-in campaign to unseat Frank Conaway Jr. following coverage of YouTube videos". Baltimore City Paper. Archived from the original on May 7, 2021. Retrieved December 6, 2014.
  16. ^ Vozzella, Laura (August 12, 2010). "Smile, you're on Frank Conaway's camera". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  17. ^ "House roll call". The Baltimore Sun. March 15, 2013. Archived from the original on June 20, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  18. ^ Dresser, Michael (March 19, 2015). "House panel turns down bill letting state prosecutor probe police killings". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  19. ^ Cox, Erin; Puente, Mark (April 24, 2015). "Hogan promises to sign bill doubling max payouts in brutality cases". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  20. ^ Fenton, Justin (December 21, 2016). "Court officials considered contempt for 'Serial' producers for airing courtroom audio". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  21. ^ Kurtz, Josh (March 12, 2019). "Emotions Still Raw Over Hopkins Police Bill". Maryland Matters. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  22. ^ O'Neill, Madeleine (February 15, 2023). "Bates pushes for enhanced gun penalties, though critics question impact". The Daily Record. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  23. ^ Bush, Matt (April 11, 2023). "Major gun bill passes before Maryland General Assembly adjourns for the year". WYPR. Archived from the original on May 18, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  24. ^ O'Neill, Madeleine (May 16, 2023). "Bates-backed tougher gun penalties become law". The Daily Record. Archived from the original on May 20, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  25. ^ Green, Andy (November 13, 2007). "Roll call on budget cuts". The Baltimore Sun. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  26. ^ Wagner, John (March 7, 2014). "How the Maryland House voted on legislation to raise the state's minimum wage". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  27. ^ Wagner, John (April 3, 2013). "How the Maryland House of Delegates voted on gun-control legislation". The Washington Post. Archived from the original on November 10, 2017. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  28. ^ "How the Md. House voted on same-sex marriage". The Baltimore Sun. February 18, 2012. Archived from the original on January 2, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  29. ^ "House roll call on gas taxes". The Baltimore Sun. March 22, 2013. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 8, 2023.
  30. ^ "Baltimore City, Maryland Primary Election Returns". Maryland State Archives. September 14, 1999. Archived from the original on June 5, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  31. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial Primary Election results for Legislative District 40". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  32. ^ "Official 2006 Gubernatorial General Election results for Legislative District 40". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on July 19, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  33. ^ "Official 2010 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on July 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  34. ^ "Official 2014 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 2, 2014. Archived from the original on June 7, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  35. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 11, 2018. Archived from the original on November 9, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
  36. ^ "Official 2018 Gubernatorial General Election results for House of Delegates". Maryland State Board of Elections. December 7, 2022. Archived from the original on April 22, 2023. Retrieved November 9, 2023.
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