Former Illinois state lawmaker and 2026 Republican gubernatorial hopeful Darren Bailey is grieving the “unimaginable loss” of his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren who died in a helicopter crash in Montana.
Bailey’s son Zachary, his spouse, Kelsey, and two of their kids, 12-year-old Vada Rose and Samuel, 7, died within the crash. The couple’s different baby, 10-year-old Finn, was not on the helicopter, in line with a press release Thursday from Bailey’s marketing campaign.
“Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss. They’re discovering consolation of their religion, their household, and the prayers of so many who love and look after them,” the assertion mentioned.
Assertion from the Darren Bailey / Aaron Del Mar Marketing campaign
On Wednesday night, Darren and his spouse, Cindy, acquired the heartbreaking information no dad or mum ever needs to listen to. Their son, Zachary, his spouse, Kelsey, and their two younger kids, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7,… pic.twitter.com/AKKhumqHzs
— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) October 23, 2025
Little else is understood concerning the crash.
The Nationwide Transportation Security Board mentioned Thursday that it’s investigating a helicopter crash in Ekalaka, Montana, within the jap a part of the state. The sheriff’s workplace in Carter County mentioned the helicopter went down southwest of the city early Wednesday night, in line with The Related Press.
Bailey, a staunch conservative, introduced earlier this 12 months that he’ll once more run for governor in 2026, after dropping handily to Gov. JB Pritzker three years in the past. Bailey beforehand served within the Illinois Senate and Home.
Response to the tragedy started to pour in Thursday from throughout the political spectrum — from Pritzker, to the Illinois GOP, and even the Chicago Academics Union.
Pritzker appeared to get emotional as he reacted to the information.
“I can not think about dropping a baby, dropping two grandchildren, and what they should be going via,” Pritzker mentioned. “That’s all I can say … this isn’t a time for politics.”
Pritzker mentioned he hasn’t reached Bailey immediately.
The Chicago Academics Union posted on X that the union’s “deepest sympathies” exit to Darren and Cindy Bailey.
“No phrases can ease the ache of such an unimaginable tragedy, and we maintain the Bailey household in our hearts throughout their time of grief,” the union mentioned.
Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi issued a press release Thursday, saying, “The Illinois Republican Celebration is lifting-up the Bailey household, their mates and neighborhood in prayer as we grieve the tragic loss Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose and Samuel. Please be a part of us in conserving the Bailey household in our ideas and prayers throughout this unimaginable time.”
