Bailey Addresses Helicopter Crash That Killed Son, Daughter-In-Law, Grandchildren

Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey on Wednesday addressed the deaths of his son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren, who were killed a week ago in a helicopter crash in Montana.

“Cindy and I are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support our family has received,” Bailey said in a post on X, sharing details of the visitation and celebration of life to be held in the coming days in downstate Flora.

Zachary Adam Bailey, 37; Kelsey Danielle Bailey, 35; Vada Rose Bailey, 12; and Samuel Isaac Bailey, 7 — all of Xenia — died in a Robinson Helicopters R66 aircraft crash near Ekalaka, Montana, according to authorities. The National Transportation Safety Board was investigating.

READ MORE: Darren Bailey's Son, Daughter-In-Law, 2 Grandchildren Die In Helicopter Crash

One grandson, Finnley Tate Bailey, 10, was not on the helicopter. Darren Bailey requested that, in place of gifts and flowers, donations be made to a GoFundMe to support his surviving grandchild.

Bailey, a downstate farmer and former state senator and state representative, is seeking the Republican nomination to challenge Gov. JB Pritzker for a second time in 2026 alongside running mate Aaron Del Mar. Bailey also ran against Pritzker in 2022 and unsuccessfully challenged fellow Republican Rep. Mike Bost in the 2024 Congressional primary.

Pritzker posted last week on X that he and his wife, MK, were “devastated” by the deaths and offered prayers and condolences.