Tragedy has struck the heart of Illinois politics with a devastating helicopter crash that claimed the lives of a gubernatorial candidate’s loved ones.
In a heartbreaking announcement, Darren Bailey, the Republican challenging Gov. JB Pritzker, shared the loss of his son Zachary, daughter-in-law Kelsey, and two grandchildren, Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7, in a crash in Montana on Oct. 22, 2025.
Bailey, alongside his wife Cindy, broke the news through a poignant social media post, shaking supporters and opponents alike with the scale of personal grief amid a heated political campaign.
The crash’s circumstances remain shrouded in mystery, with no clear details yet on what led to this horrific event in the rugged terrain of Montana.
Adding to the uncertainty, the National Transportation Safety Board revealed on Oct. 23, 2025, an ongoing investigation into a helicopter incident in Ekalaka, Montana, though it’s not confirmed if this ties directly to the Bailey family’s loss.
Amidst this sorrow, one small mercy emerges—Bailey’s third grandchild, Finn, was not aboard the helicopter and remains safe, a flicker of hope in an otherwise dark moment.
Bailey’s campaign released a statement reflecting the raw pain of the loss, saying, "Darren and Cindy are heartbroken by this unimaginable loss."
Let’s be real—while progressive voices might push for endless public dissection of personal grief, there’s something to be said for respecting a family’s space to mourn without turning tragedy into a political football.
The campaign further noted, "They are finding comfort in their faith, their family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them," a reminder that some values transcend partisan divides.
Bailey, a former state senator, isn’t new to the political arena, having previously run against Pritzker in 2022, a race that saw him fall short but not without leaving a mark on Illinois conservatives.
That campaign wasn’t without its ugliness—Bailey faced a death threat from a 21-year-old Chicago man, Scott Lennox, charged with multiple felonies for allegedly vowing to "mutilate and kill" the candidate via voicemail.
Lennox, according to Chicago police, admitted to the threats, a stark example of how toxic discourse can spiral into real danger, something conservatives often warn against in today’s hyper-charged climate.
Back in 2022, Bailey also sparred with Pritzker in debates and rallied support with an endorsement from Donald Trump at a Save America Rally in Mendon, Illinois, showing his deep ties to the conservative base.
Now, as he campaigns again to unseat Pritzker, this personal catastrophe casts a shadow over political ambitions, reminding us that behind every candidate are human stories of joy and pain.
While some on the left might seize any moment to critique conservative figures, let’s hope even they can pause and recognize that no policy debate justifies ignoring a family’s suffering—Bailey deserves that much decency as he navigates this loss.
