Four family members of Darren Bailey, a Republican candidate for governor of Illinois, died in a helicopter crash on Wednesday, his campaign said.
Mr. Bailey’s campaign said early Thursday that his son Zachary and his daughter-in-law Kelsey had been killed in a helicopter accident in Montana, along with two of their children, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7.
Zachary, who goes by Zach, was flying the helicopter, Aaron Del Mar, Mr. Bailey’s running mate in the campaign, said in a phone interview on Thursday. Kelsey was in the passenger seat, and two of their children were in the back seats. Another one of their children, Finn, 10, was not on the helicopter.
The family was in Montana on a business trip for their farm, Mr. Del Mar said, and Zach took his family up for a leisure ride.
The National Transportation Safety Board said it was investigating the crash of a Robinson Helicopters R66 in Ekalaka, in southeastern Montana, on Wednesday. The Carter County Department of Emergency Services Office confirmed to local news media that personnel were sent to the crash site at about 7 p.m. Wednesday.
Mr. Del Mar described the Bailey family as a pillar of their community in Illinois. The family owns thousands of acres of land and uses helicopters for crop dusting, he said. Zach also worked as a youth pastor, and earned his piloting license more than 12 years ago as part of a church ministry program that trains pilots to deliver food and aid in South America.
When Mr. Del Mar learned of the crash, he helped organize transportation for the Bailey family. The gubernatorial campaign was effectively put on hold.
A campaign statement on social media said that Mr. Bailey and his wife, 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,” it said. “The Baileys deeply appreciate the kindness and support they have received and ask for privacy as they grieve and hold their loved ones close during this difficult time.”
Mr. Bailey, 59, a far-right former state representative and state senator representing downstate districts, lost the Illinois governor’s race in 2022 to the Democratic incumbent, Gov. JB Pritzker.
Mr. Bailey had won 57 percent of the Republican primary vote, with President Trump’s endorsement. He also benefited from financial support from Richard Uihlein, the wealthy donor to far-right candidates, and, oddly enough, Mr. Pritzker, who ran ads bashing Mr. Bailey’s chief opponent.
Mr. Bailey lost to Mr. Pritzker, 55-42 percent in an expensive campaign, taking the downstate vote but losing big in the Chicago region.
Mr. Bailey lost a close Congressional primary against an incumbent representative, Mike Bost, in 2022. Last month, Mr. Bailey announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for governor again in the 2026 election. Governor Pritzker is seeking re-election and is still considered the favorite in the blue state.
Mr. Bailey has also operated the family farm and a private Christian school. Zachary, along with Mr. Bailey’s other sons, helped run the farm.
Shashank Bengali contributed reporting.
Victor Mather, who has been a reporter and editor at The Times for 25 years, covers sports and breaking news.
Talya Minsberg is a Times reporter covering breaking and developing news.
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