Ekalaka, Montana – October 23, 2025 – In a devastating blow to one of Illinois' most prominent Republican figures, former state Senator Darren Bailey announced the heartbreaking deaths of his son, daughter-in-law, and two young grandchildren in a helicopter crash in rural southeastern Montana. The incident, which occurred on the evening of October 22, has left the 59-year-old gubernatorial candidate and his family reeling from what his campaign described as an "unimaginable loss."
Bailey, a third-generation farmer from the small town of Xenia in southern Illinois, is mounting his second bid for the state's highest office in the 2026 election. His previous run in 2022 against Democratic incumbent JB Pritzker became one of the most expensive non-presidential contests in U.S. history, with over $1 billion spent between the two campaigns. Despite securing the GOP nomination that year, Bailey lost by a decisive margin of nearly 12 percentage points. Undeterred, he relaunched his campaign earlier this year, positioning himself as a staunch conservative advocate for rural values, limited government, and Second Amendment rights.
The victims were identified as Zachary Bailey, 35, his wife Kelsey, 33, and their children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7. The family was traveling in a Robinson R66 turbine helicopter when it went down in a remote area near Ekalaka, the county seat of sparsely populated Carter County, which borders South Dakota and Wyoming. According to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), the crash was reported around 7 p.m. local time, prompting a swift response from the Carter County Department of Emergency Services. Emergency personnel arrived at the rugged, open terrain site under darkening skies, but all four aboard were pronounced dead at the scene.
Miraculously, the couple's third child, 10-year-old Finn, was not on the flight and remains safe with extended family, the campaign confirmed. Details on why the family was in Montana remain limited, though Bailey's running mate for lieutenant governor, Cook County Republican Chair Aaron Del Mar, told the Chicago Tribune that Zachary was piloting the aircraft as part of a business trip related to the family's agricultural operations. The Baileys operate Bailey Family Farm, a sprawling corn and soybean enterprise where helicopters are routinely used for crop scouting, aerial surveying, and transport across vast farmlands. "Zach was an experienced pilot who often flew for the farm and even assisted with campaign events," Del Mar said, adding that the group was attending a helicopter-related industry event in the region.
The NTSB has dispatched a team of investigators to the crash site, where wreckage recovery efforts are underway. Preliminary reports indicate no signs of foul play, but the board has not released specifics on the cause, which could range from mechanical failure to environmental factors like sudden weather shifts common in Montana's high plains. The Robinson R66, a single-engine model popular among private operators for its versatility and five-seat capacity, has been involved in several incidents in recent years, though fatality rates for such light helicopters remain low overall—about 0.72 per 100,000 flight hours, per FAA data. A full NTSB report is expected within 12 to 18 months, pending analysis of the flight data recorder, cockpit voice recorder (if equipped), and autopsy results.
Bailey's campaign released a somber statement on X (formerly Twitter) early Thursday morning, mere hours after the family received the devastating call. "On Wednesday evening, Darren and his wife, Cindy, received the heartbreaking news no parent ever wants to hear," it read. "Their son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in Montana." The message, which quickly garnered thousands of condolences from supporters across the political spectrum, continued: "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."
The Baileys, married for 39 years, have long emphasized their Christian faith as a cornerstone of their public and private lives. Darren Bailey's campaign website highlights the family motto: "Faith, family, and farming." Zachary, the eldest of the couple's three sons, embodied those principles, working alongside his father and brothers on the farm while raising his own young family. Kelsey, a former schoolteacher, was remembered by friends as a devoted mother and community volunteer. Vada Rose, a bright seventh-grader with a passion for horseback riding, and Samuel, an energetic first-grader who loved baseball, were the light of their grandparents' lives. "They were full of joy and curiosity," a family spokesperson said, echoing sentiments pouring in from Xenia residents.
The news rippled through Illinois' political circles with unusual speed and unity. Governor JB Pritzker, Bailey's 2022 opponent, issued a statement expressing profound sympathy: "Cindy and Darren Bailey have my deepest condolences during this time of unimaginable grief. No family should endure such a loss, and my thoughts are with young Finn and all who loved Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose, and Samuel." Pritzker's words marked a rare bipartisan moment in a state often divided along urban-rural and red-blue lines. Republican National Committee Chair Michael Whatley also weighed in, calling Bailey "a fighter for Illinois families" and urging prayers for his strength.
On X, the outpouring was immediate and heartfelt. Posts from conservative influencers like Gunther Eagleman and Lara Logan shared the campaign's statement, amassing tens of thousands of likes and retweets. "Heartbreaking. Praying for the Baileys," read one viral message from @qaggnews, capturing the sentiment of many. Even users unaffiliated with politics, such as @AlvinaBirch, posted tributes: "Very sorry to see this. Sending love to the surviving grandson." By midday Thursday, #PrayForBailey had trended locally, with over 50,000 mentions.
For Bailey, this personal tragedy collides with a high-stakes political rematch. At 59, the former one-term state senator (2019-2023) and two-term state representative (2017-2019) has built a reputation as a Trump-aligned populist, railing against "Chicago machine politics" and advocating for school choice, tax cuts, and border security. His 2022 campaign raised eyebrows for its aggressive tactics, including a controversial ad accusing Pritzker of ties to a sex trafficking scandal involving his former aide. Though outspent 10-to-1, Bailey captured 43% of the vote, performing strongly in downstate rural counties where farming families like his own form the GOP base.
Announcing his 2026 bid in March, Bailey framed it as a "redemption tour" for Illinois, promising to "drain the swamp in Springfield." Polling remains sparse this early, but early surveys show him leading potential GOP primary challengers like state Rep. Dan Brady and former U.S. Rep. Rodney Davis. The crash raises poignant questions about his path forward: Will he pause his campaign to grieve? Del Mar, speaking to WGN-TV, affirmed Bailey's resolve, saying, "Darren's faith will carry him through. He's a man of incredible strength, and this won't break him—it will refine him."
Beyond politics, the incident underscores the perils of aviation in agriculture. Illinois, with its 27 million acres of farmland, relies heavily on aerial tech, but crashes claim dozens of lives annually nationwide. The FAA logged 1,231 general aviation accidents in 2024 alone, with helicopters accounting for 20%. Experts like those at the Experimental Aircraft Association stress the need for rigorous maintenance and pilot training, especially in variable weather.
As investigators comb the Montana prairie, the Bailey family retreats into privacy, as requested. A memorial service is being planned in Xenia, with details forthcoming. In a statement to supporters, Bailey wrote personally: "We cling to the promise that we'll see them again in eternity. Thank you for lifting us up." For a man whose life has been defined by soil, seeds, and service, this loss sows seeds of sorrow that time—and community—must help to heal.
