Illinois GOP gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey announced that his son, daughter-in-law and two young grandchildren died Wednesday night in a helicopter crash in Montana.
Those killed were Bailey’s son Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children — 12-year-old Vada Rose and 7-year-old Samuel. Their 10-year-old son, Finn, was not on board.
It takes our breath away imagining the pain that child will feel every day he wakes up to remember he’s lost his parents and siblings. The pain Darren Bailey and his wife, Cindy, will feel. Like wandering around with an arm or a leg missing. Like a hole through your heart. Such a loss changes a person forever.
Bailey’s lieutenant governor running mate Aaron Del Mar, told the Tribune that Bailey’s son had been in Montana for a business event involving helicopters, which he used as part of the family’s farming operations.
Bailey and his wife have three surviving adult children and many grandchildren. One of the only comforts we can see for the family at this moment is that they won’t be alone, and will be able to process this tragedy together. We are especially grateful for Finn’s sake.
Remove your political beliefs, your thoughts on Bailey’s policy positions. He is a husband, a father, a grandfather. And he is stepping into shoes no one ever wants to wear.
There are moments when politics rightly fades into the background. This is one of them.
For those of us watching from afar, it’s hard to know what to say or do in the face of such pain. But empathy still matters. In extending our condolences, we are reminded of our shared humanity — that even across deep divides, we can still reach for compassion.
We met Bailey during endorsement meetings for his 2022 campaign for governor. Though we didn’t endorse him, his devotion to his faith, his family and the people of Illinois was unmistakable — qualities that make this loss especially painful to imagine.
“MK and I are devastated to learn of the tragic passing of Darren and Cindy Bailey’s son Zachary, daughter-in-law Kelsey, and their two young children Vada Rose and Samuel. Our prayers and deep condolences are with the Baileys in this time of grief. May the memories of their loved ones be a blessing,” Gov. JB Pritzker posted on X.
We’re encouraged by the tribute from the governor. At least in Illinois, people are realizing what comes first.
Ted Dabrowski, who is running against Bailey in the Republican gubernatorial primary, wrote, “We want Darren and Cindy to know we grieve with them.”
So do we.
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