SPRINGFIELD, Ill. — A tragic incident has unfolded as four family members of Darren Bailey, a Republican candidate running for governor in Illinois, lost their lives in a helicopter crash in Montana, his campaign reported on Thursday.
The crash occurred on Wednesday, claiming the lives of Bailey’s son, Zachary, his daughter-in-law, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, aged 12, and Samuel, aged 7. According to the campaign’s statement, the couple's third child was not on board the helicopter at the time of the accident.
In the wake of this heartbreaking event, the statement from Bailey’s campaign expressed, “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.”
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) announced on Thursday that it is launching an investigation into the helicopter crash that occurred in eastern Montana, near the town of Ekalaka. The Carter County sheriff’s office reported that the helicopter went down southwest of the town early Wednesday evening.
Darren Bailey, who hails from the southern Illinois town of Xenia, recently declared his intention to seek the GOP nomination for governor in 2026. This comes after he faced a significant defeat against the well-established Democratic Governor JB Pritzker in the 2022 gubernatorial election.
Governor Pritzker extended his condolences to the Bailey family, stating, “I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through.”
A farmer and staunch conservative, Bailey gained significant statewide recognition in 2020 as a vocal critic of Pritzker’s handling of the coronavirus pandemic, notably refusing to wear a mask during legislative sessions. During his gubernatorial campaign, he focused on issues such as crime in Chicago and proposed eliminating the state’s gun licensing system, arguing that it fails to prevent illegal gun usage. He even supported a resolution to make Chicago a separate state.
In the previous year, Bailey attempted to unseat five-term incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in a primary race for a district that encompasses much of the southern part of Illinois, but was unsuccessful.
The Illinois GOP Chair, Kathy Salvi, released a statement expressing the party's grief over this tragic loss. She urged the community to keep the Bailey family in their thoughts and prayers during this incredibly challenging time.
The loss of four family members in such a sudden and tragic manner has sent shockwaves through the community, and many are rallying to support the Bailey family as they navigate this devastating chapter in their lives.
