SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — A tragic helicopter crash in Montana has claimed the lives of four relatives of an Illinois Republican gubernatorial candidate, according to his campaign’s announcement on Thursday.
The crash, which occurred on Wednesday, involved the son and daughter-in-law of Darren Bailey, a former state legislator who previously ran for governor in Illinois and is contending for the Republican nomination for the upcoming election. Bailey has a history of serving in both the Illinois House and Senate.
In the devastating incident, Bailey’s son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two children, 12-year-old Vada Rose and 7-year-old Samuel, perished. Notably, the couple’s third child was not aboard the helicopter, as confirmed by the campaign’s statement.
“Darren and Cindy are deeply shattered by this unimaginable tragedy. They are drawing strength from their faith, loved ones, and the prayers of countless supporters,” the statement conveyed.
The National Transportation Safety Board announced on Thursday its investigation into the helicopter crash near Ekalaka, a town in eastern Montana. The Carter County Sheriff’s Office reported that the helicopter crashed southwest of the town early on Wednesday evening.
Bailey, hailing from Xenia in southern Illinois, declared earlier this year his intention to compete for the GOP’s gubernatorial nomination in 2026. Previously, he ran against and was defeated by Governor JB Pritzker in the 2022 election.
Pritzker said on Thursday that he and his wife expressed their condolences to the Bailey family. “I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through,” the governor said.
Bailey, a farmer and staunch conservative, dramatically increased his statewide profile in 2020 as a frequent critic of Pritzker’s approach to the coronavirus pandemic — including refusing to wear a mask during legislative sessions.
During his run governor, Bailey railed about crime in Chicago and proposed eliminating the state’s gun licensing system, saying it doesn’t stop people from using guns illegally. He once supported a resolution seeking to make Chicago a separate state.
Bailey unsuccessfully challenged five-term incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in last year’s primary race for a district that covers much of the bottom one-third of Illinois.
Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi said in a statement that the party is grieving the tragic loss. “Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time,” the statement said.
