Republican candidate Darren Bailey announced Monday he plans to stay in Illinois’ gubernatorial race following the loss of four family members in a helicopter crash last month.
“The last two weeks have been the hardest days of our lives, but your prayers, your messages and your love have carried us, and we are so grateful,” Bailey alongside his wife, Cindy, in a newly released video.
On Oct. 22, the Baileys lost their son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7, in a helicopter crash in Montana. Zachary and Kelsey Bailey’s other son, Finn, age 10, was not on the helicopter and is safe.
“We want everyone to know that Finn is surrounded by love from our family and from Kelsey’s family, and we’re so grateful he is being cared for every single day. He’s tough, he’s full of faith, and it reminds us every day what really matters,” Cindy Bailey said, while holding back tears.
Zachary Bailey was piloting the chopper at the time of the crash. He worked alongside his father and brothers on their family farm in Xenia, Illinois, using the chopper for their farming business and also his father’s gubernatorial campaign.
Bailey cited his son and daughter-in-law’s beliefs in his reasoning to continue on in the race.
“This tragedy changed our family forever, but it also reminded us why we fight. Zach and Kelsey believed in an Illinois where families could build a future without being crushed by bad government and broken promises. They believed this state could do better. So do we. After a lot of prayer and reflection, Cindy and I have decided we’re staying in this race for governor, not for politics, but for every family trying to make it in a state that’s lost its way, for every parent who dreams of a better future for their children, and for every Illinoisian who knows that we can do better,” Bailey said.
In the video, Bailey also provided details about his recent phone call with President Donald Trump.
“President Trump recently called me, and he told me, ‘Darren, keep fighting. Don’t back down.’ That’s exactly what we’re going to do,” Bailey said.
Bailey is one of seven candidates who filed petitions as a Republican in the race for governor, along with Ted Dabrowski, James Mendrick, Rick Heidner, Max Solomon, Gregg Moore and Joseph Severino. Democratic Gov. JB Pritzker is seeking a third term.
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