Controversial Former Chicago Mayor Tiffany Henyard Vies for Fulton County Commission Seat

FULTON COUNTY, Ga. — A controversial politician from Chicago has relocated to metro Atlanta and is now seeking a seat on the Fulton County Board of Commissioners.

Tiffany Henyard, the lone Republican candidate for District 5, hopes to represent the southern portion of Fulton County, which includes parts of Atlanta and its suburbs. She is facing off against four Democratic opponents. 

Henyard’s political career has been contentious. She was ousted as mayor of Dolton, Illinois, in 2025 after a series of controversies over her conduct and the handling of taxpayer funds. These issues included a 2024 federal investigation into a $200,000 payment to a contractor whose owner was convicted of bribery; however, no charges were filed against Henyard.

She also lost her mayoral reelection campaign overwhelmingly, earning just 12% of the vote to her opponent’s 88%. Additionally, a judge recently ruled she owes $10,000 in unpaid rent in Illinois.

Henyard has faced scrutiny for other alleged mismanagement in Dolton, including claims that she mishandled municipal finances, skirted transparency efforts, and was accused of attempting to cover up an alleged sexual assault involving a township employee.

Political experts say Henyard faces significant hurdles in Fulton County. Andra Gillespie, a political scientist at Emory University, noted that District 5 is heavily Democratic, and Henyard is a newcomer to the area. “I am known in the community, and this person is a newcomer who hasn’t earned the trust to run credibly for this office,” Gillespie said.

Henyard registered to vote in Georgia on February 27, meeting the legal requirements to run. The Fulton County GOP has not commented on her candidacy.