HELENA, Mont. — Four family members of Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey of Illinois were killed in a helicopter crash on Wednesday.
Zachary Bailey, the former lawmaker's son, was piloting the helicopter when it went down in a remote area of eastern Montana. He was accompanied by his wife, Kelsey, and their two children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7. The couple's third child was not on board, according to his campaign.
The National Transportation Safety Board is investigating the crash, with no details on the cause reported. No one else was aboard the helicopter, which was used for business purposes related to their family farm in Illinois.
Darren Bailey's campaign released a statement expressing the family's heartbreak, finding comfort in faith and the support of loved ones. Aaron Del Mar, a family spokesperson and Bailey's running mate, stated that Zachary obtained his helicopter license to deliver medical supplies to underserved areas.
Governor JB Pritzker offered condolences to the Bailey family, stating he could not imagine their loss. Bailey is seeking the GOP nomination for governor again in 2026, having lost to Pritzker in 2022. Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi called the incident a tragic loss and urged support for the Bailey family during this difficult time.