Four family members of Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey were killed in a tragic helicopter crash in rural eastern Montana, his campaign confirmed Thursday.
The victims were identified as Bailey’s son, Zachary Bailey, his wife Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7. According to a statement from Bailey’s campaign, the helicopter went down Wednesday evening near the small town of Ekalaka, Montana. Their third child was not on board.
“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 statement read.
Campaign spokesperson Aaron Del Mar, who also serves as Bailey’s running mate, confirmed that Zachary Bailey was piloting the aircraft at the time of the crash. The family had been in Montana on a business trip related to expanding the use of helicopters for their farm operations in south-central Illinois.
Del Mar said Zachary, who had earned his helicopter license several years ago, initially pursued aviation to deliver medical supplies and humanitarian aid to people in developing countries. “That was a driving force for him to get his license,” Del Mar said.
The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) has launched an investigation into the cause of the crash. Carter County Sheriff’s Office confirmed that deputies responded to the remote crash site southwest of Ekalaka on Wednesday evening. No other individuals were on board.
Bailey, a former Illinois state senator and representative from Xenia, rose to prominence during the COVID-19 pandemic as a vocal critic of Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker’s policies, including mask mandates and restrictions. He is again seeking the Republican nomination for governor in 2026, following his loss to Pritzker in 2022.
Gov. Pritzker expressed condolences Thursday, saying, “I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through.”
Bailey, known for his strong conservative platform, previously campaigned on reducing crime in Chicago and rolling back state gun control measures. He also once backed a proposal to make Chicago a separate state.
Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement that the party was “deeply saddened” by the tragedy. “Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time,” she said.
The cause of the fatal crash remains under investigation.
Associated Press
