WATCH: Illinois leaders on both sides send Bailey family condolences for loss of 4
(The Center Square) – Leaders on both sides of the political aisle are sending condolences to former state Sen. Darren Bailey’s family after four members died in a helicopter crash.
Bailey was the GOP nominee for governor in 2022 and is also running to get the Republican nomination in 2026. His campaign announced Thursday morning that Bailey’s son, daughter-in-law and two grandchildren died in a crash in Montana Wednesday night.
Bailey’s potential rival, Gov. J.B. Pritzker, said the news is devastating.
“I cannot imagine losing a child, losing two grandchildren, and what they must be going through, that’s all I can say,” Pritzker said.
House Minority Leader Tony McCombie, R-Savanna, said to pray for the family. She told The Center Square she just saw Bailey at a political event Wednesday evening.
“I just saw Darren and Cindy last night at an event in Freeport. And, you know, it’s just like that, you know, your life can change at the snap of a finger,” McCombie said. “So, you know, hug your loved ones, that’s for sure.”
McCombie said she is so sorry for the family’s loss.
“It’s terrible. I can’t even imagine how horrific this will be for the family to go through,” she said. “We are so very sorry. And that doesn’t even seem to be enough, right? Certainly. I know that they lead their life in prayer. So that I would certainly ask people lift Darren and Cindy and their entire family.”
Finn, Bailey’s 10-year-old grandson, was not in the helicopter and is safe.
Pritzker said he and the first lady are devastated.
“We’re devastated by it,” he said. “This is not a time for politics. It’s just a time to recognize that that, you know, losing a child is, I don’t know, one of the hardest things ever.”
ILGOP Chairman Kathy Salvi released a statement.
“The Illinois Republican Party is lifting up the Bailey family, their friends and community in prayer as we grieve the tragic loss Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose and Samuel,” Salvi said. “Please join us in keeping the Bailey family in our thoughts and prayers during this unimaginable time.”
The Bailey family requested privacy as they grieve.
Events
Latest News Stories
State Department designates European Antifa groups foreign terror organizations
NetChoice scores legal win in social media warning lawsuit
Union Pacific–Norfolk Southern merger draws more support as critics push back
TSA agents who worked throughout shutdown to receive $10,000 bonus
Boeing to pay $36M to family of Indian woman killed in Ethiopia Air crash
Pro-life org invests $80M into 2026 midterms, will reach 10.5M voters
Refilling Strategic Petroleum Reserve begins
WATCH: Lawmakers call out Pritzker for lack of transparency with budget cuts
Report: Barriers to social mobility largely manmade
Fetterman hospitalized for heart episode
Federal services to slowly recover following end of government shutdown
IL congressman pushes military to accept CLT, experts say it could shape education
