Federal authorities are now investigating the fatal crash of a helicopter carrying four relatives of Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey.
Bailey’s campaign says Wednesday night's crash in a remote area of eastern Montana killed his son Zachary along with Zachary’s wife Kelsey and two of their children … 12-year-old Vada Rose and seven-year-old Samuel.
A spokesperson confirms that Zachary Bailey was flying the chopper when it crashed.
Another child, ten-year-old Finn, was not on the chopper.
Just a month ago, Darren Bailey launched his second bid for the Republican nomination in the governor’s race, after being the party’s nominee in 2022.
At an event in Chicago Thursday morning, Governor Pritzker extended his condolences, and grew emotional as he talked about the loss.
"I cannot imagine losing a child … losing two grandchildren … and what they must be going through," said the governor, who also reflected on close losses in his own family. "This is not a time for politics, it’s a time to recognize that losing a child is one of the hardest things ever."
Fellow Republican candidate Ted Dabrowski released a statement saying in part "this tragedy is unimaginable," and that he knows the Baileys' deep faith and strong family will support them at this time.