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 wife, Kelsey, and two of their children, 12-year-old Vada Rose and Samuel, 7, died in the crash Wednesday. The couple’s other child, 10-year-old Finn, was not on the helicopter, according to a statement Thursday from Bailey’s campaign.
Zachary was flying the aircraft, according to Bailey’s running mate, Aaron Del Mar, who spoke to WBEZ by phone Thursday.
Del Mar spoke to Bailey and his wife, Cindy, Wednesday evening after he received news of the crash.
“Darren was incredibly strong and stoic during the conversation,” Del Mar said. “Cindy, as you can imagine, was significantly distraught and upset. And it was terrible. It was terrible to hear the pain of her voice and her sobs as she was heartbroken.”
Bailey, his wife, his surviving three children, and his surviving grandson are together in Montana, Del Mar said. They are figuring out logistics for 10-year-old Finn. The family is close knit and the siblings all live “within 15 minutes of each other,” Del Mar said.
Del Mar said Zachary Bailey was an “experienced pilot for over a decade.” The helicopter was owned by the family, and there were no other passengers. The family was flying back from an aeronautics conference to explore how to further utilize flights in their farm business.
The helicopter that crashed was the same one used for Bailey’s campaign launch, Del Mar said.
“That’s where I got to know Zach,” he said. “He was our pilot at the time, and we spent countless hours on there as we transferred from one event to the other. He picked us up in Effingham, took us down to Clarksville, then to Bloomington, Illinois, and then finally, to Schaumburg, so we can make our way to Oak Brook for our final rally.”
Little is known about how the crash happened, Del Mar said, adding that “local law enforcement, as well as federal law enforcement and aviation” are headed to the crash site for a “full investigation to identify the cause of the accident.”
Statement from the Darren Bailey / Aaron Del Mar Campaign
On Wednesday evening, Darren and his wife, Cindy, received the heartbreaking news no parent ever wants to hear. Their son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7,… pic.twitter.com/AKKhumqHzs
— Darren Bailey (@DarrenBaileyIL) October 23, 2025
The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that it is investigating a helicopter crash in Ekalaka, Montana, in the eastern part of the state. The sheriff’s office in Carter County said the helicopter went down southwest of the town early Wednesday evening, according to The Associated Press.
Bailey, a staunch conservative, announced earlier this year that he will again run for governor in 2026, after losing handily to Gov. JB Pritzker three years ago. Bailey previously served in the Illinois Senate and House.
Reaction to the tragedy began to pour in Thursday from across the political spectrum — from Pritzker, to the Illinois GOP, and even the Chicago Teachers Union.
Pritzker appeared to get emotional as he reacted to the news.
“I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through,” Pritzker said. “That’s all I can say … this is not a time for politics.”
Pritzker said he hasn’t reached Bailey directly.
The Chicago Teachers Union posted on X that the union’s “deepest sympathies” go out to Darren and Cindy Bailey.
“No words can ease the pain of such an unimaginable tragedy, and we hold the Bailey family in our hearts during their time of grief,” the union said.
Illinois GOP Chair Kathy Salvi issued a statement Thursday, saying, “The Illinois Republican Party is lifting-up the Bailey family, their friends and community in prayer as we grieve the tragic loss Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose and Samuel. Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time.”