DALTON, Illinois – Newly ousted “super mayor” Tiffany Henniard still has holdout supporters she claims to be “not the worst,” but others tired of her endless antics are pleased to see the “clown show” hit the road after the loss of her land's election.
“I didn't say she didn't make a mistake, but that doesn't make her the worst person in these suburbs,” said an older Enard Supporter named Jesse, who lives on the so-called “Dalton Dictors” Illinois Street.
“She wasn't the worst and wasn't that bad because she did a few things when she became mayor,” Jesse told the Post Wednesday. Within 24 hours Hennard was defeated by Dalton's Democratic primary.
Jesse said she thought any of the allegations against Enyard were true, including inappropriate accusations of village funds that sparked a federal investigation — the FBI said she would have locked her up long ago.
“People have their own opinions. I have mine, they got theirs. That's how I see it,” Jesse insisted.
Henyard, 41, fell violently in her bid for reelection Tuesday, winning just 12% of the vote for 88% village trustee Jason House, and taking the mayor's Democratic nomination.
Self-proclaimed “Super Mayor” – famous for her odd outfit, choreography routine, rap video and open brawl during a town meeting – admitting her loss despite predicting a runaway victory
Enard will need to be in office until May when his term ends.
And her exits cannot come anytime soon for Dalton residents who feel they have become fools on the national stage.
“I just felt relieved,” said Shelly Britton, 56. “Now we can reconstruct from ashes. She doesn't represent Dalton. We want to change the story because around the world, around the country, they are considered a clown because she is represented.”
“She's a clown. She's always a clown show. Dance, singing, wrapping, who does that?” Britton added. “When the towns around you fall apart, who does it? It's unrealistic. This is my real life as a resident.”
Even in her own block, where the election signs of Prohenido were lined up, her neighbors wanted little to do with her – and most people said they hadn't even planted signs in the grass.
“She just raised the block and stabbed it in everyone's yard,” said Latera James, 45. “I didn't vote for her.”
“I don't think anyone cares about leaving, but I don't think anyone voted for her. They just left there. I didn't vote for her,” James added, knocking down the sign.
Another neighbor left his name, but one day he returned from work and said that the sign was in his yard.
“I don't want to have any problems with her,” he said. “I know Tiffany because she was a little girl, so I'm not going to go into politics.”
Enyard was elected in 2021 and characterizes a string of sordid allegations that troubled her tenure as fake news and smear campaigns.
Some charges include allegations that she used local police as an individual bodyguard and political enforcer.
Still, some of Dalton's 20,000 residents think it's just politics.
“I know Tiffany. All politicians do the wrong thing. Not just Tiffany. They all steal the politicians. Everything does that. It's a racket,” said a neighbor who refused to be named when he threw a Henniard sign into the trash.
“It's not like I'm supporting people to steal city money, but they all do that.”
