SPRINGFIELD, ILLINOIS– SPRINGFIELD, Ill. (AP) — Four family members of a Republican candidate for governor in Illinois were killed in a helicopter crash in Montana, his campaign said Thursday.
The son and daughter-in-law of former state Sen. Darren Bailey, a Republican who lost the 2022 Illinois gubernatorial election and is seeking his party’s nomination again in next year’s race, were killed in Wednesday’s crash.
Billy’s campaign said in a statement that two of Billy’s grandchildren were also killed.
“Darren and Cindy are deeply saddened by this unimaginable loss. They find comfort in their faith, family, and the prayers of so many who love and care for them,” the statement read.
The National Transportation Safety Board said Thursday it is investigating a helicopter crash in eastern Montana near the town of Ikalaka.
Bailey, from the southern Illinois town of Xenia, announced this year that he is seeking the GOP nominee for governor in 2026. He lost to Gov. JB Pritzker in 2022 after serving a single two-year term in both the Illinois House and Senate.
He unsuccessfully challenged five-term incumbent Republican U.S. Rep. Mike Bost in a primary race last year for a district covering much of the bottom third of Illinois.