Henyard Out: Embattled Mayor and Current Supervisor will Not Appear on Ballot (South Holland, IL) — Tiffany Henyard, the current Supervisor of Thornton Township and Mayor of Dolton, was denied nomination for the supervisor position after a Democratic Party Caucus. The caucus, held for the first time in 30 years, requires candidates to submit a complete slate of eight candidates, including a certified assessor. Henyard’s slate was incomplete, and as a result, Illinois State Senator Napoleon Harris was selected as the nominee.
Henyard, appointed as supervisor in 2022 to finish the late Frank Zuccarelli’s term, criticized the caucus process, which she argued was unfair. She claimed that many of her supporters were unable to participate because Thornton Township buses bringing them to the event arrived late. The caucus had a 600-person capacity, and many of Henyard’s supporters were left outside, unable to vote. Henyard is now considering legal action, but it seems that her only option to remain on the ballot is to run as a write-in candidate.
Harris, who has represented Illinois’ 15th District in the state senate since 2013, will be on the ballot as the Democratic candidate for supervisor. The Thornton Township Republicans also held a caucus tonight, selecting their own candidates to appear on the ballot.
The caucus itself marked a significant shift in how Thornton Township Democrats select their candidates. Previously, the Democratic candidate for supervisor had been chosen through a more traditional primary process. This year’s use of a caucus, however, has raised questions about fairness, particularly from Henyard’s supporters.
Additionally, Harvey Mayor Christopher Clark, running as an independent, did not need to participate in the Democratic caucus and remains a contender in the race for Thornton Township Supervisor. Clark’s candidacy adds another layer of competition, as the race now includes both party-affiliated and independent candidates.
Henyard’s political career has been embroiled in controversy in her dual roles as Thornton Township Supervisor and Mayor of Dolton, where she is under investigation in a broad probe into the village’s finances. As the election season heats up, Henyard’s political future remains uncertain, with her efforts to contest the caucus results adding yet another chapter to her complex political journey. Caucus attendees sang “Na Na Hey Hey Kiss Him Goodbye” at the conclusion of the caucus.
Henyard Out: Embattled Mayor and Current Supervisor will Not Appear on Ballot
