Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey lost his son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren in a tragic helicopter crash in Montana on Wednesday evening.
Bailey and his wife Cindy announced the deaths of their son Zachary, his wife Kelsey, and Bailey’s young grandchildren, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7, in a campaign statement posted on social media Thursday.
Their third grandchild, Finn, was not on the helicopter.
“Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them,” Bailey’s campaign said in a statement. “The Baileys deeply appreciate the kindness and support they have received and ask for privacy as they grieve and hold their loved ones close during this difficult time.”
The National Transportation Safety Board announced Thursday that it is investigating a helicopter crash near Ekalaka, Montana. Bailey’s running mate told The Chicago Tribune that Zachary Bailey was piloting the helicopter for a business event in Montana related to helicopters, which he used for his family’s farm business.
Illinois Governor JB Pritzker, a Democrat, expressed his condolences to the Bailey family Thursday.
“I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through,” Pritzker said. “This is not a time for politics. This is a time to recognize that losing a child is one of the hardest thing ever.”
The Illinois Republican Party released a statement saying it is “lifting up the Bailey family, their friends and community in prayer.”
Bailey, a Republican, is running to unseat Pritzker in the 2026 gubernatorial election.
Bailey previously served in both the Illinois House and Senate and was the Republican nominee for governor in 2022, losing to Pritzker in that race.
Bailey, a farmer from southern Illinois, gained statewide attention in 2020 as a critic of Pritzker’s approach to the coronavirus pandemic. He announced his second run for governor in September.