Candidates running under 'Rebuilding Dolton Party' fight to stay on election ballot
DOLTON, Ill. - A hearing will be held in Dolton on Thursday to address an effort to remove a mayoral candidate from the upcoming election ballot.
The objection, filed by an associate of Dolton Mayor Tiffany Henyard, seeks to disqualify Casundra Hopson-Jordan, a mayoral candidate, and D'Nasha Lee Harrison, a trustee candidate, from the ballot.
The hearing was scheduled for 2:30 p.m. at Dolton Village Hall, 14122 Martin Luther King Jr. Drive.
Before the hearing, Hopson-Jordan, Harrison, and their attorney, Pericles Abbasi, will hold a press conference at 2 p.m. to discuss the legal challenge.
"It's about Democracy because Mayor Henyard is trying to prevent an opponent from being on the ballot and giving the voters a choice. It's about hypocrisy because just the other night, on Tuesday, at the Thornton Township Democratic Caucus, she was making a big fuss, threatening to go to court over the fact that she was not able to be considered to the caucus because she didn't have a full slate," said Abbasi during the press conference.
The objection argues that the candidates, running under the "Rebuilding Dolton Party" banner, should be removed from the ballot because the party didn’t meet a requirement in the Illinois Election Code. The rule says the party must have a full slate of candidates for the April 1, 2025 election, but the objection claims they didn’t fulfill this.
The candidates' legal team says the rule being used in the objection was actually ruled unconstitutional back in 2017 by the Federal 7th Circuit Court of Appeals in the case Libertarian Party of Ill. v. Scholz.
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Abbasi called the objection "completely frivolous" and an attempt to undermine the democratic process.
At the same time as the news conference, Henyard was expected to attend a special meeting of the Thornton Township and address the media publicly.
On Friday, Thornton Township Democratic Committeeman Napoleon Harris III issued a statement about the Democratic caucus that was held, shared below:
"I want to take a moment to personally thank you for your continued support and participation in our democratic caucus held on December 3, 2024. It is because of your engagement and commitment to our community that we can ensure our collective voices are heard and that our shared values are upheld.
As we embark on this new chapter, I want to assure you that under my administration, we remain steadfast in our dedication to Thornton Township. Our primary focus will be on delivering critical services, maintaining a balanced budget, practicing fiscal responsibility, and preserving the integrity and trustworthiness of Thornton Township.
I, like you, have witnessed the distractions and challenges that can sometimes arise. However, I am committed to ensuring that Thornton Township is a beacon of stability and progress. Together, we will move beyond the noise and focus on what truly matters—serving the residents and making our community stronger, more vibrant, and more united.
As a resident and servant of this township, I promise to stand true to my values and the values of Thornton Township. With your continued support, we will uphold the standards of excellence that our community deserves as we move forward into this political campaign season.
Thank you all for your faith in me and for standing with me as we work together to secure a brighter future for Thornton Township. God bless you, and God bless all the residents of our great township."
This is a developing story. Stay with FOX 32 for more updates.