#new A Democrat Mayor decided to flip to Republican to run in a different state after being booted in Illinois for being “America’s worst mayor”
Tiffany Henyard, the former mayor of Dolton, Illinois has relocated to Georgia, switched her affiliation and is now the lone candidate running for Fulton County Commission District 5 – as a Republican.
Henyard’s short tenure as mayor was riddled with chaos and federal investigations. This comes right after she was ousted from her mayoship in 2025, losing her reelection campaign in a landslide primary loss to Jason House by 70 points.
She was then denied a spot on the ballot for Thornton Township supervisor by her own party’s caucus.
She’s running as a Republican in a heavily Democrat area and faces four Democrat opponents.
Critics say Henyard is desperate to win, and will try anything, but will not hold up the party’s ideological platform.
She was elected mayor in Dolton back in 2021. During her tenure there was skyrocketing debt, taxpayer-funded Luxuries, and a culture of corruption.
The FBI and former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot both launched investigations finding that Henyard used city resources on Amazon, and luxury travel.
Henyard called anyone who criticized her or investigated her racist.
She was held in contempt of court in 2025 for stonewalling liquor licenses, potentially to punish non-supporters.
Details:
Henyard racked up over $40,000 in Amazon purchases on village credit cards in a single day, alongside extravagant trips to Las Vegas and other places, all while Dolton faced millions in unpaid bills and a budget deficit.
She hired her boyfriend, Lawrence Gardner, as a code enforcement officer despite his lack of qualifications, paying him a six-figure salary.
Gardner was also linked to a land development subpoenaed by the FBI in 2024.
Gardner was accused of physically assaulting an attendee at one of Henyard’s campaign rallies in 2024
A former assistant and a Dolton police officer sued Henyard and village trustee Andrew Holmes, alleging Holmes assaulted them during a 2023 taxpayer-funded Las Vegas trip.
Henyard was accused of covering it up and retaliating against the victims.
Three ex-employees filed lawsuits in 2024, accusing Henyard of firing them for refusing to engage in “political schemes,” like withholding building permits and business licenses from non-donors to her campaigns.
Dolton paid over $200,000 to O.A.K.K. Construction Co., a firm tied to bribery scandals, for uncontracted work like senior home repairs.
Henyard’s personal detail cost hundreds of thousands in police overtime, far more than what is normal for a small-town mayor
Henyard’s nonprofit, Tiffany Henyard Cares Foundation, faced allegations of misusing donations.
Audits showed that the money went toward personal expenses rather than community aid.
She allegedly delayed or denied licenses to businesses that didn’t support her politically
The FBI launched multiple investigations starting in 2024, including raids on village hall over fraud, embezzlement, and ties to corrupt contractors.
Lightfoot’s 2024 report confirmed misused funds and debt, while Henyard faced 25 lawsuits during her term, all of which she claimed to have won
Henyard attempted to boost her own salary illegally and used public employees for personal errands
In 2024, former aide and trustee Carmen Carlisle publicly accused Henyard of “unethical and predatory behavior” to expand influence, including pressuring subordinates into schemes.
