A Year After Tragedy: Darren Bailey Shares How Faith and Family Keep Him Going

Almost twelve months have slipped by since a helicopter went down near Ekalaka, Montana, taking the lives of Darren Bailey’s son Zachary, daughter‑in‑law Kelsey, and their two little ones, Vada Rose and Samuel. The loss still feels raw, but the former state senator says the past year has also been a study in how community, prayer, and small moments can help stitch a broken heart.

In a short video posted to X (formerly Twitter), Bailey thanked everyone who has checked in on him, his wife Cindy, and their ten‑year‑old grandson Finn. “This has been the hardest year of our lives,” he said, “but through it all, God has been faithful, and Cindy and I have seen the very best of Illinois.” The words were simple, almost conversational, but they carried the weight of a father‑grandfather trying to stay afloat.

He didn’t hide the fact that not a single day passes without thoughts of Zach, Kelsey, Vada and Samuel. Strangers on the street have stopped to pray, neighbors have dropped off casseroles, and countless messages have floated in, asking, “How’s Finn doing?” Those gestures, Bailey notes, have been “the love and kindness that carried us through some of our darkest days.”

Finn now lives with his aunt Abby and uncle Matt, surrounded by cousins, a noisy household, and the kind of everyday chaos that can feel like a lifeline. The boy is thriving – his teachers say he’s curious, his friends say he’s funny, and his grandparents say he’s finally learning to smile again.

One bright spot came recently when Finn announced he wanted to run for student council. He won the election and now serves as the council’s secretary. “We are so proud of him, and we know his mom and dad would be proud too,” Bailey said, voice cracking just enough to betray his composure.

The family is determined to keep Zach and Kelsey’s memory alive. “I promise you, Finn will grow up knowing exactly who his mom and dad were, and just how much they loved him,” Darren pledged.

Bailey also looked back to the day his campaign kicked off, when Zach piloted the helicopter that was supposed to take him and supporters on a tour of the state. He remembered the excitement, the shared jokes, and the plans for the future – never suspecting that the very next weeks would bring such devastation. “I’d give anything to have another day like that with our son, but I’m so thankful for the time God gave us together,” he reflected.

After pausing his campaign in the immediate aftermath of the crash, Bailey announced in November 2025 that he would press on, guided by prayer and conversations with his family. Now, with the 2026 Illinois gubernatorial election less than three weeks away, his message is less about politics and more about the people he’s lost and the strangers who have helped him keep walking.

He concluded with a quiet reminder that resonates beyond any ballot box: “Please never take a single day with the people you love for granted.”