Republican Candidate Darren Bailey Loses Son, Daughter-in-Law, and Two Grandchildren in Montana Helicopter Crash
Ekalaka, Montana — Tragedy has struck the family of Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey, after a helicopter crash in eastern Montana claimed the lives of his son, daughter-in-law, and two young grandchildren.
In a statement shared on social media Thursday morning, Bailey confirmed that his son Zachary Bailey (37), Zachary’s wife Kelsey (35), and their two children, Vada Rose and Samuel, were killed when their helicopter went down Wednesday night near the small town of Ekalaka, close to the North Dakota border.
“Last night, our family suffered an unthinkable tragedy,” Bailey wrote. “Our hearts are broken as we grieve the loss of Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose, and Samuel. They were a beautiful family, full of love and light, and our lives will never be the same. We ask for your prayers, understanding, and privacy as we hold each other close in this time of unimaginable sorrow.”
Authorities with the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB) confirmed that they are investigating the crash, which occurred in a remote area. Local officials reported that emergency crews reached the wreckage late Wednesday, but none of the passengers survived.
A third Bailey child, 10-year-old Finn, was not aboard the helicopter and survived.
Darren Bailey, a former Illinois state senator and 2022 Republican nominee for governor, is once again campaigning to unseat incumbent Governor J.B. Pritzker in next year’s election. The devastating accident has temporarily halted his campaign as the Bailey family mourns.
Bailey and his wife Cindy are well-known across Illinois for their deep roots in faith and family. Messages of sympathy have poured in from across the political spectrum, with Governor J.B. Pritzker offering condolences on behalf of the state. “My heart goes out to Darren Bailey and his family. This is a heartbreaking loss no family should ever endure,” Pritzker said in a statement.
Community members in southern Illinois, where the Baileys run a family farm, have described Zachary as “a dedicated husband, father, and son — someone who carried his father’s strength and kindness.” Friends and neighbors have begun leaving flowers and cards outside the family’s home, while churches across the region have organized prayer vigils in their honor.
The NTSB said investigators will remain at the crash site over the coming days to determine what caused the fatal accident. A preliminary report is expected in the coming weeks.
For now, the Bailey family is leaning on faith and the support of loved ones. “We know that Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose, and Samuel are safe in the arms of the Lord,” Bailey wrote. “We will hold their memories close — forever.”