4 members of Illinois gubernatorial candidate’s family killed in helicopter crash

ROCKFORD, Ill. (WIFR/WGEM/Gray News) - Four family members of a Republican running for governor in Illinois were killed in a Montana helicopter crash, his campaign said Thursday.

Candidate Darren Bailey said his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren died in the crash that happened Wednesday night.

“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,” his campaign said in a statement.

According to Bailey, the crash killed his son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7. Their other 10-year-old grandson was not involved in the crash.

Bailey, who is making a second run to unseat Governor JB Pritzker, was scheduled to be in Freeport Wednesday night for the annual Lincoln Day dinner, but it is unclear if he attended.

The family is asking for privacy as they grieve and hold their loved ones close during this difficult time.

The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday that it was investigating a helicopter crash in eastern Montana near the town of Ekalaka.

Bailey, from the southern Illinois town of Xenia, announced this year that he is seeking the GOP’s nominee for governor in 2026. He lost to Gov. JB Pritzker in 2022 after serving single, two-year terms in both the Illinois House and Senate.

He 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.