‘It reminds us why we fight’: Bailey presses on after loss of son, grandkids in crash

Posted November 11, 2025 10:27 am

Marni Pyke

Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey announced Monday he is staying in the race after a family tragedy in October.

Bailey’s son, Zachary, daughter-in-law, Kelsey, and grandchildren, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7, died Oct. 22 in a helicopter crash near Ekalaka, Montana. The couple’s oldest son, Finn, age 10, was not in the helicopter.

“This tragedy changed our family forever, but it also reminds us why we fight,” Bailey said with his wife, Cindy, in a video posted on Facebook. “Zachary and Kelsey believed in an Illinois where families can build a future without being crushed by bad government and broken promises.

“They believed this state can do better and so do we. After lot of prayer and reflection, Cindy and I have decided we’re staying in this race for governor, not for politics but for every family trying to make it in a state that’s lost it’s way. For every Illinoisan who knows we can do better,.”

The conservative former state senator noted President Donald Trump had called him and urged him, “’Darren, keep fighting. Don’t back down.’”

The other Republicans in the race are: Ted Dabrowski of Wilmette, the former president of media/research company Wirepoints; DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick of Woodridge; Broadview resident Gregg Moore; video gambling business owner Rick Heidner of Barrington Hills; Joseph Severino of Lake Forest; and Max Solomon of Hazel Crest.

Zachary and Kelsey Bailey along with their 12-year-old daughter Vada Rose and youngest son, 7-year-old Samuel, died in a helicopter crash Oct. 22 in Montana. The couple's other son, 10-year-old Finn, bottom center, was not aboard the flight. Zachary is the son of Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey. Courtesy of the Bailey/Del Mar campaign

Bailey, a downstate farmer and businessman, ran in 2022 against Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker, who is seeking reelection next year.

Cindy Bailey said, “our family has always been our bedrock. This hasn’t been easy. But we want everyone to know that Finn is surrounded by love from our family and from Kelsey’s family. He’s tough, he’s full of faith and he reminds us every day of what really matters.”

Darren Bailey called the last two weeks “the hardest of our lives.”

“But your prayers, your messages and your love have carried us, and we are so grateful,” he said. “Our son, Zach, and his wife, Kelsey, lived with faith and purpose. They worked hard, served others and loved their family and community. That’s the kind of strength that we’re holding onto now.”

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