From "Super Mayor" to Super Setback: Tiffany Henyard’s Landslide Loss in Dolton

Tiffany Henyard, the self-proclaimed "Super Mayor" of Dolton, Illinois, has experienced a dramatic political downfall, losing by a significant margin in the Democratic primaries this week. Her defeat marks the end of a controversial four-year tenure riddled with accusations of financial mismanagement, lawsuits, and public clashes with the village’s trustees.

Henyard’s time as mayor began in February 2021, when she was elected as the village’s first and youngest woman to hold the position. She quickly embraced the "Super Mayor" moniker, further solidifying her image as a powerful figure in Dolton. Her influence expanded in 2022 when she became the supervisor of Thornton Township, the largest township in Illinois, holding both positions simultaneously.

However, Henyard’s reign was not without its challenges. Her leadership style and financial decisions came under increasing scrutiny, leading to accusations of corruption and mismanagement. The Village of Dolton’s Board Trustees, who often found themselves at odds with the mayor, openly criticized her actions, alleging a "power and money grab."

In response to these concerns, the trustees hired former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot in April 2024 to conduct an independent probe into Henyard’s handling of the village’s finances. Lightfoot’s investigation uncovered a series of questionable expenditures, including the unauthorized use of village credit cards for projects lacking board approval or competitive bidding.

The report revealed that approximately $775,000 in expenses were charged to business credit cards in 2023 alone, with a significant portion allocated to Amazon purchases ($200,000) and travel and business trips to Las Vegas ($117,000). Lightfoot recommended that the village board implement monthly financial reports for public transparency and establish a clear credit card spending policy.

Henyard vehemently denied the allegations, accusing the trustees of stealing taxpayer money and questioning why Lightfoot’s report did not address their alleged misconduct. She took to social media to defend herself, urging residents to "Trust God" and support her amidst the controversy.

Adding to the turmoil, Henyard was embroiled in a public brawl during a Thornton Township board meeting in January. The incident occurred after a community activist used a slur against the mayor, triggering a physical altercation between Henyard’s boyfriend, Kamal Woods, and the activist.

Video footage of the brawl showed Woods and the activist exchanging blows as onlookers gathered around them. Witnesses claimed that Henyard herself became involved in the fight, pushing a table aside to join the melee. The incident led to Woods, who ran the township’s at-risk youth program, being placed on paid administrative leave.

Henyard denounced the board’s decision as "political retaliation" and threatened legal action. The activist, Jedidah Brown, has since filed a lawsuit against Henyard, Woods, and Thornton Township, alleging that the brawl was a result of his exercising his constitutional rights to free speech and expression.

Despite the mounting controversy, Henyard decided to run for reelection as mayor of Dolton in the Democratic primaries. However, her bid for a second term was met with overwhelming opposition. She faced fellow Democrat Jason House, who ultimately secured a resounding victory with 3,896 votes (87.91%) compared to Henyard’s meager 536 votes.

The landslide loss effectively ended Henyard’s tenure as mayor, marking a significant turning point in Dolton’s political landscape. In her concession, Henyard stated that "the people have spoken" and that God must have a different plan for her future.

Despite the defeat, Henyard remains defiant. She posted on social media, hinting at a potential comeback, stating, "Trust the Process. Watch my Comeback. Stay Tuned…wait y’all thought I was finish, hell no."

Henyard’s background includes a business administration degree from Robert Morris University Illinois and experience working on then-governor Pat Quinn’s "Put Illinois to Work" initiative. She served as a trustee on the Village of Dolton’s board for eight years before running for mayor.

Now that Henyard’s time as mayor has come to a close, the future of Dolton remains uncertain. If the Cook County Clerk’s Office certifies House as the winner of the Democratic primaries, he will face independent candidate Casundra Hopson in the upcoming April consolidated election.

With pending litigation and a cloud of controversy surrounding her, it is unclear what the future holds for Henyard. While she may be down, she has made it clear that she is not out, leaving the door open for a potential return to the political arena in the future. Only time will tell what path she chooses to pursue.