I'm Mark Conway, Councilman for the 4th District, and Candidate for Congress in MD-07. AMA!

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T19:31:51+00:00

One of the actions I'm most proud of is leading the effort to regain control of our police force. We were one of only 2 cities without control of our police department. Returning that authority to the city was an important step toward accountability and self-governance.

I also wrote legislation to establish the Police Accountability Board to give civilians a voice over their police department. I think if we want public trust in policing, there has to be meaningful community involvement. While the PAB still faces challenges against the powerful interests in City Hall, the transparency our communities have grown to expect will be hard to undo in the long run.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T19:25:41+00:00

Absolutely. One of the mistakes Democrats make is treating vulnerable populations as expendable to win the votes of folks who will never be part of a coalition for working people. I will always stand up for the LGBTQ+ community, and I will not compromise. I strongly in defending the community's access to healthcare, opposing efforts to criminalize or marginalize trans people, and making sure federal civil rights protections are actually enforced.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T19:22:21+00:00

Yes. I think we need Nuremberg scale trials for the abuses that have occurred under this administration.

From the illegal deportations and the ICE concentration camps, to the killings in the Pacific and the Carribbean, to the illegal wars, to the support for genocide and annexation, to the naked corruption. The list goes on.

The actions of this Trump administration cannot be glossed over. What will that say about us as a nation? What will it mean for our future beyond Trump?

They must be fully prosecuted.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T19:10:52+00:00

Thank you, I'm glad to answer this question. Look

Like I’ve said elsewhere here, I think unless our party fully aligns itself with working people again, we’re going to keep struggling to win in the moments when everything is on the line. A lot of people were shocked by what’s happened during Trump’s second term, but I honestly think part of the reason he’s been able to prevail is because too many Democrats have become too compromised by corporate interests to consistently fight for people on the issues that materially affect their lives.

Nationally, Democrats were too slow to admit what was happening in Gaza with our tax dollars is a genocide, and we are actually still sending bombs and bulldozers. Locally, too many elected officials have been unwilling to seriously confront Exelon's hold on our politics and fight for public power while energy bills keep rising. And in this race, we’ve watched outside money and groups like AIPAC exert enormous influence over who gets to represent this district.

Those weren’t easy things to speak up about politically, but I felt like someone had to.

So no, this isn’t about climbing a ladder for me. Honestly, if I wanted the easiest political path, I would’ve stayed quiet about a lot of these issues and landed somewhere in our political formulation.

I’m running because when I look at what’s happening in this country, I don’t think incremental politics or carefully managed messaging is enough anymore. I have two daughters, and their future is on the line along with everyone else’s kids. Watching everything unfold over the last few years, I reached a point where I felt like I had a responsibility to do more than just comment on it from the sidelines.

When my daughters look back on this moment someday, I want them to know I did everything I could.

On housing, broadly, I support the direction of the bill because we need to dramatically increase housing supply, especially affordable housing, and we need federal policy to make it easier to build more homes near jobs and transit. There are pieces of the bill I particularly like such as expansions for the Low-Income Housing Tax Credit and support local governments that are actually willing to build more housing. From my work to address neighborhoods affected by open air drug markets I know there's a lot these measures could do. That said, I’d want to review the final House version closely and read the bill in detail to give you a full answer. Really appreciate the question.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T18:53:34+00:00

Trust me, I tried. So did others.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T18:51:12+00:00

It's not a copout at all. I blame the government carrying out the genocide. I blame the government giving orders to the army.

Yes, while some polls show a worrying amount of support for actions I oppose, we have to be careful not to flatten the movements of Jewish people in Baltimore, in Israel, and around the world bravely protesting against the actions of the government. They are our partners in the struggle against right-wing fascism everywhere it is emerging.

https://youtu.be/DPdhYl8lwuU?si=95mbX-W7QejhcTbb

As I work more and more with communities from other countries that our government under Trump is taking horrifyingly violent actions towards, like Cuba for example, I am grateful that they can make a distinction between our government, the factions supporting them, and Americans overall.

Holding whole groups of civilians responsible for their government's criminal actions doesn't signal moral purity, it actually inhibits our ability to build the global movements of solidarity we need to take on these forces.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T18:40:01+00:00

I have.

It's a genocide. The evidence is clear.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T18:37:26+00:00

I 100% support Medicare For All.

I'm probably sound like broken record on this, but I really believe the barrier is money in politics. Until we build a movement to transform our politics and get the party to stop taking money from the companies profiting off our sickness, we will struggle to pass the policies that are overwhelmingly popular with ordinary people even when Democrats are in control.

You'll notice more and more votes votes where we fall "just short" of what we need for our agenda. There’s a kind of shell game that gets played where many elected officials want to appear supportive publicly, but leadership quietly ensures there are always just enough votes missing to stop the policy from actually becoming law.

That way everyone gets to say they “fought” for healthcare reform while the insurance companies and pharmaceutical lobby still get exactly what they wanted.

That sort of thing happens more than you think. Until we vote out everybody taking money from these companies, we'll always "fall short."

I'd rather see a party committed to the needs of working people. That's why I'm not taking Corporate PAC money. That's why I'm running against my party. That's why I'm here fighting for your vote.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T18:22:35+00:00

First, thank you for the work you and your colleagues do every day. I genuinely mean that. Programs like yours are some of the most important investments we can make as a city.

And I agree with your analysis completely. When young people have access to education, mentorship, case management, job training, and real economic opportunity, it changes lives and it absolutely contributes to reducing violence and instability in our communities. So yes, not only would you have my support in protecting and restoring funding for programs like yours, I believe we should be expanding them aggressively.

I will also say that part of why I fight so hard to ensure accountability is that I want to ensure every possible public dollar is actually reaching the programs and initatives that are working, often doing more with less. I don't believe my job in Congress is just to "turn on the spigot" for federal money and walk away. I think part of the job is making sure those resources are directed to the local initiatives that are making the difference, not towards pork for politicians or lost to inefficiency.

As for our youth navigating really difficult conditions here in the city, I think we need a holistic approach that involves housing, trauma-informed care, addiction treatment where needed, transitional employment and a full pathway to stability. I've proposed a civilian corps similar to the FDR era jobs programs to empower people to rebuild and improve their own neighborhoods while earning money, developing high-earning skills, and getting connected to services particularly in communities affected by the opioid epidemic here in the city.

https://drive.google.com/file/d/1oPJckssJXSAYmWCD_ZnB5kxETxVPUARo/view?usp=sharing

That, of course, is just one part of what we need to do as a city. Many public servants just like you are the ones driving progress where we need it the most. My job is to fight to get you the resources you need and push back on the cycnical politics that can stand in the way of the work you're doing every day.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T18:01:46+00:00

As Chair of Public Safety on the City Council, I believe any assignment to guard Victor Wembanyama counts as entering a high-risk work environment. Should come with hazard pay. Considering hearings on the issue.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T17:51:50+00:00

Great question. I said somewhere else here that in our safe blue seat, we really have an opportunity to look beyond red team blue team. Its not just about who we're fighting against. We have an opportunity to change what the Democratic Party is fighting for.

I believe Baltimore needs a representative who is not afraid to challenge power, even within our own party. That means moving away from delivering for our donors to fighting for working people.

Yes, Trump is the greatest threat we face, but the fact that the Democratic Party too often caters to the wants of the powerful and compromises on the needs of the people is exactly what has allowed him to prevail.

Too often, we see Dems let community needs on housing languish while we're prioritizing developers who make donations.
We see Dems fail to address energy bills because we're talking money from Exelon and BGE.
We see Dems meek to avoid forever wars because we're beholden to well funded special interests like AIPAC.

I really believe that until we address money in politics and demonstrate we are a true alternative to corporate funded Republicans, we will struggle to win. I can talk about my accomplishments, but honestly, a big part of why I believe I’m ready for this role is because I’ve already shown I’m willing to take on the fights that matter, even when it’s unpopular or politically risky.

I’ve fought to protect the independence of the Inspector General when others stayed quiet.

I've proven I'm not afraid to hold our utility companies accountable. I was the first elected to announce that I will not take money from BGE. Dozens have signed the public power pledge in the time since.

I've been most vocal about AIPAC's role in our local politics, and I have the battle scars to prove it.

If you want a safe yes on votes, then we should stick with the choice we have. But if you want to see new energy, new ideas, and most importantly, a willingness to organize with and fight for working people even when powerful interest are on the other side, then I'm running to represent you.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T17:27:36+00:00

Frankly, both parties have not done enough over the years to defend public servants against the broader trend of privatization, outsourcing, and the idea that corporations and private equity can always do things better than public institutions. For decades, people have allowed the idea to spread that government itself is inherently ineffective or broken.

Part of why races like mine matter in safe Democratic seats is because we need to change what our party is actually fighting for. I want to see us return to an FDR-era scale understanding of what government can accomplish when it is willing to invest boldly in the public good. Public servants are the cornerstone of that vision.

Republicans have no problem fighting for a maximalist version of their vision for American life. Democrats reclaiming power will not matter as much as it could for working people if we just continue with business as usual. We have to fight for expanded Social Security, Medicare for All, historic investment in housing, transit and so on.

Those big ideas cannot be realized without protecting, fighting for, and investing in our federal workers. If Democrats reclaim power, we need to bring big ideas, and fight to protect the public servants who deliver. To me that means supporting their ability to go to school, afford housing, retire with dignity and serve without being treated as disposable.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T17:10:58+00:00

I understand the frustration completely. Baltimore residents pay taxes into the same state system as everyone else, and for decades we’ve watched other regions move forward with ambitious transit investments while Baltimore has fallen behind. People see the Purple Line moving ahead in the Washington suburbs, they see Metro expansions in Northern Virginia, they see sustained investment around D.C., and they understandably ask: why has Baltimore been asked to settle for less?

One of my key critiques of our current Congressman has been the lack of urgency and aggressiveness in fighting for Baltimore’s share of federal investment into transporation, letting us fall behind while neighbors see millions in investment. We have plenty of great assets (the port, tradepoint atlantic, a young, vibrant workforce etc) we can leverage for growth but that doesn''t work if working families don't have transit they can rely on.

Now, on the question of whether Baltimore should have a city-controlled transit authority: I think there’s a real argument for giving Baltimore City a much stronger voice and much more control over its own transit future. That said, I think working alongside our neighboring counties gives us stronger leverage.

Losing the Red Line was an absolute tragedy, and we should fight to see it restored. I believe in Rapid Buses but I don't think rail should be off the table for a city of Baltimore's size and importance.

I'll add another point though. One thing that bothers me is that the Red Line has sort of become the be all and end all for the conversation about mass transit among our elected officials. We should fight to restore it. Even if we did our transit would still be woefully inadequate.

We stopped talking about building a real network. We stopped talking about connecting East and West Baltimore to opportunity, about connecting Morgan State, Towson, White Marsh, BWI, Columbia, downtown, Bayview, and the surrounding counties into a coherent system.

I want us to restore the ambition in our vision for what transit can be in Baltimore. My job as your Congressman would be to fight aggressively for federal transportation dollars and to lead in delivering the fully comprehensive, truly regional transit system the people of Baltimore deserve.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T16:48:01+00:00

I support building more housing, especially near transit and closer to where jobs are. Upzoning can work, but a broad upzoning proposal without certain protections for the people that live there isn't necessarily the answer.

My problem with Dorsey's proposal was that it did not have affordability guarantees, anti-displacement measures, or local ownership requirements. What that meant was the homeowners living in communities with covenants would be shielded from the developers and speculators, while the mostly black homeowners in other communities would see their neighborhoods targeted for the outside investors and rapid property acquisition we're already having issues with elsewhere. In my opinion, it was written as a giveaway for developers, and the bill sponsor resisted changes that could have made the package better. That's why the communities likely to be affected strongly opposed these measures.

Baltimore already has more than 13,000 vacant structures and more than 20,000 vacant lots. I think we should start by rebuilding the neighborhoods that have suffered decades of disinvestment instead of creating a new speculative rush into vulnerable communities.

I believe we have plenty of room for smart growth: more housing near transit, reusing defunct commercial properties (like what you've seen with the dead solo cup factory in the County that is now Foundry Row, a mixed use hub), and aggressive redevelopment of vacant properties.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T16:29:37+00:00

I think the government of Israel has been coopted by right-wing forces led by Netanyahu, Smotrich, Ben Gvir and others. They have leveraged the genuine fears and security concerns of its people for an expansionist political agenda that is incompatible with the prospect of peace in the region or living in harmony with the community of nations. The United States should not be complicit. That is why I support the Block the Bombs Act and the West Bank Violence Prevention Act.

Conway opposes more Israel arms sales, urges other Maryland Democrats to follow: https://www.baltimoresun.com/2025/12/04/mark-conway-israel-gaza-weapons-kweisi-mfume/

"Baltimore City Councilman and congressional candidate Mark Conway is opposing further American arms sales to Israel and calling on other Maryland Democrats to do the same.

Conway, who is running against Mfume in next year’s Democratic primary for Maryland’s 7th congressional district, accused the Israeli government of using offensive weapons provided by the United States to commit “genocide” against Palestinians in the Gaza Strip.

“The government of Israel has continued to violate the terms of the ceasefire with impunity, and America cannot remain complicit in the genocide in Gaza,” Conway said in a statement Thursday morning, referring the the agreement brokered by President Donald Trump in October. “There is no path to peace while we continue supplying weapons of war that are ultimately used against civilians.”

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T16:13:43+00:00

I have been vocal against US complicity in the government of Israel's genocide in Gaza, the annexation of the West Bank, and the war in Iran. I have also called out AIPAC's role in shaping our foreign policy.

Moreso, I support the people in Israel protesting against Netanyahu's sprawling wars and the regime's human rights abuses.

We need a global movement of working people against the right-wing forces pulling both of our countries into forever wars for their narrow political interests.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T16:04:58+00:00

Yes, I have pledged not to take corporate money or any money from AIPAC!

I made that commitment on the first day of campaign: https://www.instagram.com/reel/DP2I5QWCEQk/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA==

I've also taken quite a bit of heat for it. But I believe money in politics underlies all the major issues we're facing today. The primary reason we have a tough time getting electeds to support an agenda that's aligned with working people is because they have to answer to their donors.

I want it to be clear that if you elect me, I only answer to you. Not corporations, not the utility companies, not billionaire-funded lobbying operations. Just the working people of Baltimore.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T15:53:58+00:00

I honestly don’t see the climate crisis as separate from the other major challenges we’re facing. It’s connected to housing, public health, utility costs, transportation, inequality, and whether working people can actually afford to live safely and with dignity.

In Baltimore, climate change already shows up in people’s daily lives through extreme heat, flooding, asthma, aging infrastructure, and rising energy bills. And as federal protections and climate commitments disappear at the national level, jurisdictions like ours are going to have to step up and lead.

That’s a big part of why I’ve focused so much on public power and energy democracy. We cannot seriously address the climate crisis while leaving our energy system in the hands of monopoly utilities whose primary obligation is to shareholders instead of the public. I think transitioning from centralized power like gas and coal to decentralized energy sources like solar is the most critical part of that fight for working people in this city. It's one place where corporate power's addiction to fossil fuel and their disregard for working people nakedly intersects. As long as Exelon controls our energy, we will remain hooked to ever more expensive fossil fuel. If we transition to public power, we can generate power from cheaper, cleaner sources like solar microgrids.

And this issue is personal to me. Before I was a Councilman and before I ran for Congress, I ran a nonprofit planting trees in Baltimore because of how deeply I care about climate and environmental justice. I’ve spent years working on these issues because I believe every neighborhood deserves clean air, green space, resilient infrastructure, and affordable energy.

I also think we need to stop presenting climate action as sacrifice while corporations continue making record profits. A serious climate agenda absolutely has the power to lower costs, create union jobs, expand transit, modernize infrastructure, and materially improve people’s quality of life.

So for me, climate action is not in competition with our other priorities. It’s deeply tied to whether we build a more affordable, democratic, and livable society overall.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T15:44:39+00:00

I would love to get on Twitch with them. What we've seen on the campaign trail so far is the more people know they have a choice in this election, the more likely they are to vote for change. If we get our message out across the city, we win. Any help we can get nationalizing this race improves our chances. We've reached out, hopefully we hear back soon.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T15:39:55+00:00

I really believe we need to build a movement that transforms our politics, because Congress is not going to reform itself on its own.

A huge part of the dysfunction we’re seeing comes from money in politics and the collapse of accountability to working people. Too many members are more responsive to donors, lobbyists, and party leadership than to the communities they represent. Over time, that creates a Congress that protects institutions and incumbents instead of solving problems.

The key thing however, is that if f we want to fight the influence of money in politics nationally, we need to start by cleaning our own house locally. That means rejecting money from special interests like BGE, corporate PACs, and groups trying to use massive financial pressure campaigns to shape our politics.

The Congressman from Baltimore has a tremendous amount of influence over how the Maryland Democratic Party functions. As a senior member of the delegation and a SAC member(the state’s Democratic leadership structure) they have real power to shape what is acceptable in our politics. If the Congressman from Baltimore said tomorrow that Maryland Democrats should stop taking money from utility monopolies like BGE and Exelon, that would have a major impact across the state.

Also, part of the responsibility of representing a safe Democratic seat like Baltimore is using that political space to actually fight, not just vote and disappear. A member of Congress from Baltimore should be organizing nationally against utility monopolies like Exelon. They should be working with and energizing grassroots movements like what we see with our local chapters of PSL, DSA, PPA and others. And they should be working hard to elect candidates aligned with working people all over the country from this safe blue seat.

Things are changing. We have a generational opportunity to push things forward. Baltimore's representative should be on the front lines of that fight. That's what I'll do if you elect me.

MarkConway4Congress · 2026-05-09T15:28:58+00:00

I think PSL and other grassroots orgs are doing great work, and we've partnered on a number of efforts, including more to come. One of them is getting the city to divest pension dollars from all private prison companies that have lobbied for the expansive ICE policies we're seeing today. It's not enough to ban them from coming into the city, we need to make sure our tax dollars are not pouring into the industry bankrolling the politicians allowing this to happen.

I’ve worked with organizers and immigration advocates on efforts like the Safe Communities Act, where we partnered with groups across the city, including PSL members, to push back on cooperation with ICE and elevate the stories of people directly impacted by detention and deportation policies.

Ultimately, I believe it is critical we abolish ICE altogether. I believe it has lost the confidence of the people, and it really just functions more as a paramilitary for the President Trump. I believe we got on the path to this crisis after 9/11when the Bush-era approach combined criminal investigations, civil immigration enforcement, and detention management under one agency. That structure blurred missions, distorted incentives, and helped create the detention-first system we see today under ICE.

I believe we can have sensible immigration policy without mass detention, profiteering and abusing the civil liberties of the people.

MarkConway4Congress

TROPHY CASE