Del. Maggie McIntosh, Chair of the Appropriations Committee and the most influential member of the House of Delegates after Speaker Mike Busch, is all in for incumbent Sen. Joan Carter Conway’s effort to secure a sixth full term.

Both represent District 43 in Baltimore City, where Conway faces a strong challenge from two-term Del. Mary Washington. Washington is running hard, heavily emphasizing her efforts to protect residents from losing their homes over water bills, and represents the strongest challenge Conway has faced.

However, Conway has won reelection despite past scandals and has a large war chest. The emphatic public backing of McIntosh surely will also help her campaign. While Conway mused publicly about retirement, she now is in it to win it.

The one downside for McIntosh, even if Conway wins, is that younger members of the House are increasingly restive regarding opportunities for advancement–notwithstanding the deserved promotion of Del. Anne Kaiser to head of Ways and Means. Protecting Conway reinforces that perception. On the other hand, it confirms McIntosh’s reputation as a loyal ally.