‘Heart-crushing’: GOP gubernatorial candidate Bailey’s son and three family members die in Montana helicopter crash

A son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren of Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey died in a helicopter crash Wednesday evening in Montana.

The announcement was made on Bailey’s campaign Facebook page.

“Their son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7, tragically lost their lives,” the post reads. “Their other grandson, Finn, age 10, was not on the helicopter and is safe. 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.”

Montana media outlets are reporting the crash happened about 7:20 p.m. near Ekalaka, Montana, about 20 miles west of the tri-state border shared with North and South Dakota.

The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the cause of the crash.

“They were a beautiful family and it’s been a heart-crushing time for the Baileys and the community in general,” said Bailey running mate, Aaron Del Mar of Palatine.

Bailey, a downstate farmer and business owner, previously served as a state senator.

Zachary Bailey worked for the family business and obtained a pilot’s license so he could deliver aid to developing countries, Del Mar said. “He was a man of faith like his father.”

Bailey was with his wife at a campaign event in Freeport when they learned of the tragedy.

He immediately decided to drive to Montana to be with Finn, said Del Mar, who is the Cook County Republican Party chair. Bailey is a tough campaigner but his children and grandchildren come first, Del Mar said.

“This family is hurting,” he said.

Zachary Bailey was piloting the helicopter Wednesday, said Del Mar. He described him as an accomplished helicopter pilot who flew himself and Darren Bailey across Illinois when they launched their campaign Sept. 25.

Monday is the first day to file to run in the March 17, 2026, primary election.

Asked if Bailey intended to stay in the race, Del Mar said the two had not discussed the issue and he will honor whatever his running mate decides.

“We probably will file. I’m pretty confident we’ll file,” Del Mar said. “Just because if Darren wants to do it, we want to keep that option open. And if he doesn’t, we can always withdraw.”

Gov. JB Pritzker appeared emotional when asked about the tragedy at a briefing Thursday.

“I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren and what they must be going through,” Pritzker said.

He noted his parents died at a relatively early age and the grief it caused his grandparents.

“We’re devastated by that,” Pritzker said referring to his wife MK. “This is not a time for politics, it’s a time to recognize losing a child is one of hardest things ever.”

Illinois Republican Party Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement the party is “lifting up the Bailey family, their friends and community in prayer as we grieve the tragic loss Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose and Samuel. Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time.”

Two other Republican candidates for governor offered condolences on social media.

“Nothing is more important on earth than our precious families,” DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick said. “We call on all of friends and supporters to wrap the Bailey family in loving thoughts. And for young Finn … we pray a special prayer.”

“This is unimaginable,” Ted Dabrowski of Wilmette noted. “We want Darren and Cindy to know we grieve with them.”

Bailey was the 2022 Republican nominee for governor and is seeking his party’s nomination for the 2026 race. He unsuccessfully challenged five-term incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in last year’s GOP primary for a district that covers much of the bottom one-third of Illinois.

· Daily Herald wire services contributed to this report.