Trustee Jason House Defeats Incumbent Mayor Tiffany Henyard in Dolton Primary Election
Trustee Jason House has decisively won the Dolton Democratic primary election, sending incumbent Mayor Tiffany Henyard packing as he garnered nearly 88% of the votes. This dramatic outcome, announced after all precincts reported, with House at 3,896 votes against Henyard’s meager 536.
House, who has championed the slogan “Clean House 2025,” celebrated his victory with supporters, declaring, “We faced four years of intimidation, four years of failure, and tonight is the new day for the village of Dolton.” This statement encapsulates the mood of his campaign and reflects widespread community dissatisfaction with Henyard’s administration.
The voter turnout for the primary was around 26.94%, which is significantly higher than the 9.5% turnout during Henyard’s previous election win. Witnesses at House’s victory party were enthused, with celebrations featuring music and visible joy as supporters expressed hope for new leadership.
Henyard’s loss marks not just the end of her mayoralty but also highlights the intense scrutiny her office has faced recently. Her political career was plagued by scandals related to financial mismanagement, leading to investigations, including one by former Chicago Mayor Lori Lightfoot. This review indicated Henyard’s administration mismanaged village funds and engaged in excessive and dubious spending.
Responses from the community were telling. Many residents voiced frustrations over Henyard’s methods and her administration’s controversies, eagerly casting votes for change. Whitney Simmons, reflecting the urgency felt among voters, stated, “It is a must, must, must…to come out and vote today. It was not an option. It was a requirement.”
Meanwhile, Henyard, who had demonstrated confidence prior to the election—arriving at polling places amid pomp and noise from her campaign music—expressed surprise and disillusionment following the results. Despite her earlier assertions of supportive backing from the community, Henyard only managed to capture approximately 12% of the vote, dropping dramatically from her 82% victory just four years earlier.
During her election night address, Henyard contended, “The people have spoken,” but she also hinted at her desire to remain politically active, saying, “I might run for something bigger. You never know.”
The primary has not just foreshadowed potential changes within Dolton’s mayoral office but is also viewed as indicative of the political climate among constituents. House’s campaign revolved around transparency, accountability, and community engagement, contrasting sharply with Henyard's tumultuous term, which many constituents felt brought chaos rather than order.
Henyard’s term, highlighted by contentious relationships with trustees and accusations of cronyism, also led to calls for multiple recalls, though previous attempts were nullified by court decisions. Residents expressed discontent with her leadership style, with one voter, Jacquelyn Robinson, stating, “It really hurts my heart to see this and then see the person run again. That’s a lot of nerve.”
Addressing the investigations, House remarked, “Not only is Ms. Henyard depriving the public of what they deserve, it’s costing the village money. Day one, every record will be turned over.” He made it clear his administration would focus on ethical governance and restoring trust among Dolton residents.
Looking forward, House is poised to face independent candidate Casundra Hopson-Jordan in the general election scheduled for April. The November general election could serve as the final verdict on House’s campaign promises of renewal and reform.
The local political scene is certainly at a crossroads, with many residents eager for legislative changes. Velveeta, another Dolton voter, summarized the sentiment by saying they hoped future leaders would prioritize community welfare, stating, “Education, making sure the children have a safe place to grow up and making sure finances are doing what they are supposed to do.”
Overall, the 2025 Dolton primary election has not only signaled the end of Henyard’s tumultuous term but has also ushered hope for reform and accountability among Dolton’s residents, who have clearly indicated they are ready for change.