Tony McConkey

Tony McConkey (born November 21, 1963) is a former elected official in the Maryland House of Delegates. He was first elected in 2002, taking the seat of former Delegate Janet Greenip, who ran for a State Senate seat. He served in District 33, which is located in Anne Arundel County, Maryland. He lost a bid for re-election in 2018 to Democratic challenger Heather Bagnall.

Early years/education Born in Cheverly, Maryland, he graduated in 1986 from the University of Maryland, College Park with a joint B.A. (government & politics) and B.S. (business management) degree. He attended the University of Maryland School of Law, graduating with a J.D. in 1990.

Career

As a member of the Republican Party in the Maryland House of Delegates, he served as Ranking Member on the House Appropriations Committee. McConkey fought in March 2007 to allow for an elected school board in Anne Arundel County. However, a bill was passed that allowed the Governor to select the members from a list. McConkey and Warren Miller were the only dissenting votes.

Another issue that McConkey advocated for was limiting privileges for illegal immigrants. He co-sponsored a bill in the House, similar to the one submitted by State Senator Janet Greenip to require driver's license applicants to prove they are citizens of the United States. Currently, Maryland is one of several states that does not demand proof of citizenship to obtain a driver's license.

McConkey was a real estate broker. In 2010, he pleaded guilty to violating laws that protect homeowners during foreclosure and lost his real estate licence and was ordered by a judge to pay $75,000. An administrative law judge called McConkey's behavior "fraudulent and unethical" in real estate transactions. According to court records, the state found that McConkey promised to help a woman keep her home, then didn't return her calls, bought her property in foreclosure and sought to evict her. He has sought to have his license restored.

McConkey's disbarment as an attorney in the state of Maryland is on record with the Maryland Court System.

In 2012, fellow Republican State Senator Edward Reilly filed an ethics complaint against McConkey, alleging that McConkey aggressively lobbied for a bill provision that would have helped him financially. According to Reilly's account, the dispute became heated enough that state troopers were called to remove McConkey from Reilly's office.

In 2013, he was reprimanded by the House for introducing legislation that would have personally benefited him.

On November 8, 2018, McConkey was defeated by Heather Bagnall, a Democrat, for Delegate in District 33A by less than 1 percentage point (185 vote margin).

Legislative notes voted against the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359) voted against in-state tuition for illegal immigrants in 2007 (HB6) voted for the Healthy Air Act in 2006 (SB154) voted against slots in 2005 (HB1361)

Election results 2006 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 33rd District, Division A Voters to choose two: Name Votes Percent Outcome James King, Rep. 18,542 29.0% Won Tony McConkey, Rep. 16,655 26.0% Won Patricia Weathersbee, Dem. 15,226 23.8% Lost Paul G. Rudolph, Dem. 13,461 21.0% Lost Other Write-Ins 73 0.1% 2002 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 33rd District, Division A Voters to choose two: Name Votes Percent Outcome David Boschert, Rep. 20,279 33.0% Won Tony McConkey Rep. 16,157 26.3% Won Jim Snider, Dem. 11,427 18.6% Lost Steve Rizzi, Dem. 10,939 17.8% Lost Michael Anthony Lagana, Unaffiliated 2,622 4.3% Lost Other Write-Ins 31 0.1% 1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – 30th District Voters to choose three: Name Votes Percent Outcome Michael E. Busch Dem. 24,075 21% Won Virginia P. Clagett, Dem. 24,036 21% Won Richard D'Amato, Dem. 20,223 18% Won Phillip D. Bissett, Rep. 18,690 16% Lost Anthony McConkey, Rep. 12,353 11% Lost Edward J. Turner, Rep. 14,119 12% Lost

1994 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 22A Voters to choose two: Name Votes Percent Outcome Anne Healey Dem. 8,475 31% Won Richard A. Palumbo, Dem. 9,246 34% Won Anthony McConkey, Rep. 5,584 20% Lost Keith L. Poptanich, Rep. 3,989 15% Lost