After Tiffany Henyard was elected to office in 2021, Nicole Scott was hopeful and excited to work with the new Dolton mayor to expand her food pantry to provide an array of supports for local residents.

“The idea was to bring a myriad of services for the community, like make it a community hub,” Scott said.

Four years later, Scott says she has not been able to expand Free-N-Deed Market due to pushback from Henyard, and on Sunday she hosted the campaign kickoff for those hoping to oust her in the food pantry’s parking lot.

“I just want people in office that are going to help with serving the community,” Scott said.

About 70 people came to Scott’s unassuming strip mall property to support the beginning of a joint campaign team of current and former Dolton elected officials hoping to win election on a platform drawing contrast to Henyard’s controversial leadership.