When we want to see why Frank Conaway Jr. is being dropped from the slate for Tiffany Welsh. We have to understand a little bit about who Frank Jr is.
Frank Conaway Jr. has long been a figure of fascination in Baltimore politics, not only for his family name but for the unusual spiritual and philosophical ideas he has broadcast to the public. He authored books with titles such as Baptist Gnostic Christian Eubonic Kundalinion Spiritual Ki Do Hermeneutic Metaphysics and The 20 Pennies a Day Diet Plan, works that blend mysticism, Christianity, and esoteric language in ways that left many scratching their heads. His YouTube videos—recorded years ago from the city mailroom before he was pressured to resign—ranged from cryptograms in ancient Egypt to canned chicken and talking horses, all delivered with a conviction that baffled some and offended others.
For his supporters, these quirks are simply “Frank being Frank.” But for party leaders in District 40, the combination of eccentric books, rambling videos, and unconventional spiritual identity has become a liability. Behind the scenes, there is growing pressure to move him off the slate and replace him with steadier figures like Melissa Wells, a shift driven less by policy differences than by the perception that Conaway’s public persona is an embarrassment to the coalition.
🟦 Welch Family Dynasty
- Agnes B. Welch – Baltimore City Council (1983–2010). A respected matriarch, educator, and community advocate.
- William “Pistol Pete” Welch – Baltimore City Council (2011–2016). Known for his fiery personality and the infamous zoning hearing incident. Baltimore legend has it that Pistol Pete fired a pistol indoors to quiet down a meeting.
- Tiffany Welch – Candidate in the 2020s. Represents the new generation, challenging entrenched dynasties like the Conaways.
🟩 Conaway Family Dynasty
- Frank Conaway Sr. – Clerk of the Circuit Court (1998–2015). Patriarch of the Conaway political machine.
- Frank Conaway Jr. – Delegate (2007–present). Currently holding office and facing Tiffany Welch’s challenge.
- Belinda Conaway – Baltimore City Council (2011–2020). Another branch of the family’s influence in city politics.
⚖️ Why This Matters
- Baltimore politics often feels clanish and dynastic, with families like the Conaways and Welchs dominating certain districts.
- The Welch vs. Conaway clash is more than just a race—it’s a contest between two family legacies, each with deep roots in West Baltimore.
- Agnes Welch’s reputation for community service and faith-driven leadership contrasts with the Conaways’ reputation for institutional control and longevity.
- Tiffany’s candidacy signals a revival of the Welch dynasty, bringing both her grandmother’s gravitas and her uncle’s exuberance into play.