Following a devastating helicopter crash that claimed the lives of his son, daughter-in-law, and two of his grandchildren on Wednesday, Oct. 22, Illinois gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has suspended his campaign to focus on his family.
Bailey’s running mate, Aaron Del Mar, said on Thursday, Oct. 23, that the campaign had immediately shifted its focus to supporting the grieving family.
“I’m heartbroken. I’m saddened. This is something that’s never supposed to happen,” Del Mar said. “My heart for the Bailey family and for our campaign and for the people of Illinois who have been touched by the Bailey family — it’s soul-crushing.”
He added, “We’ve put our campaign on hold, and all we’re trying to do is offer comfort to Darren and Cindy and their other children.”
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Details of the Tragic Crash
The campaign confirmed Thursday morning that Bailey’s son Zachary, his wife Kelsey, and two of their three children — Vada Rose, 12, and Samuel, 7 — were killed when their helicopter went down in Montana. Their 10-year-old son Finn was not on board and is safe.
A statement from the Bailey family expressed their grief:
“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 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.”
Zach and his family, who helped manage the Baileys’ fourth-generation farm in Xenia, Illinois, were in Montana for a farming convention. They traveled in one of the family’s four-seat helicopters, while Finn rode separately with a business partner — a circumstance that spared his life.
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A Deeply Personal Loss
Del Mar, 47, said he had grown close to the Bailey family and had even flown with them in the same helicopter about six weeks earlier.
“Zachary flew Darren and me to several campaign stops across the state — we spent eight hours in that helicopter,” he recalled. “The way he spoke with such reverence for his father and mother — not a lot of people have that. I hope one day my own children talk about me the same way. He was a good man.”
Zachary had earned his helicopter license through a Christian ministry program that trained pilots to deliver food and medicine to remote regions.
“That shows who he was — a servant leader, a man of faith and commitment,” Del Mar said. “The Bailey family has always been dedicated to faith, family, and service.”
A Family Rooted in Service
Beyond their farm, the Baileys have founded a community Christian school, a nutrition company, and other ventures focused on helping their southern Illinois neighbors.
“The entire family is active in their ministry and community work,” Del Mar said. “Their loss is being felt not only by the Bailey family and campaign but by the entire region.”
From Rivals to Partners
Del Mar revealed that he and Bailey had not always been allies. “We were actually rivals — we’d thrown rocks at each other politically and even endorsed opposing candidates,” he said.
The two men hail from very different parts of the state — Del Mar from Palatine near Chicago, Bailey from rural southern Illinois. But a few months ago, they decided to set aside differences and run together.
Community Support and Next Steps
In the aftermath of the tragedy, campaign staff began helping the family with funeral plans and arranging the return of their loved ones to Xenia, where all of Bailey’s children live within minutes of their parents.
“The outpouring of support and prayers is something I’ve never seen,” Del Mar said. “This tragedy would be heartbreaking no matter who it happened to, but knowing what Darren has done for his community makes it even more profound.”
Del Mar said many details remain uncertain — including what the future holds for young Finn — but he’s confident the boy will be surrounded by love.
“There’s an everlasting legacy that Zach and Kelsey and their children leave behind,” he said. “Their community, their extended family — they’ll protect and guide Finn as he grows. That gives me a small measure of comfort.”
As for the campaign’s future, Del Mar said that’s not a priority right now.
“You can quote me on this: I don’t care,” he said. “All I care about is this family. They honored me by bringing me into their campaign and their lives.”
He added that Zachary had dreams of following in his father’s political footsteps.
“Zach was going to be someone who carried on his father’s legacy. I hope Finn knows that.”
