By Illinois Review
Republican gubernatorial candidate Ted Dabrowski announced late Friday that he is canceling his previously scheduled campaign events for early November – a decision that came just hours after DuPage County Sheriff James Mendrick paused his own campaign out of respect for Darren Bailey and his family.
Visitation and funeral services for Bailey’s son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren will be held November 2 and 3. The family was tragically killed in a helicopter crash in Montana on Wednesday – a heartbreaking event that has brought Illinois’ political community together in grief and prayer.
“I have canceled my previously scheduled campaign events for those days and will attend the funeral,” Dabrowski posted on Facebook late Friday. “My family and I offer our deepest sympathy for their loss.”
Just hours earlier, Mendrick announced on Facebook that he and his team were postponing their southern Illinois campaign swing, saying, “Out of respect for the Bailey family, we have decided to postpone our trip down south.” Mendrick and his running mate now plan to resume their visit on November 15.
Both candidates had planned multi-day campaign stops across southern Illinois – the region long considered Bailey’s political home base.
Earlier in the day, Illinois Review reported that Dabrowski’s campaign was still preparing to move forward with its southern Illinois tour – posting dates and schedules just hours after news of the tragedy broke. But late Friday, Dabrowski reversed course, aligning with Mendrick’s decision to suspend campaign activities.
As Illinois Review continues to follow this developing story, one sentiment has united Republicans statewide: this is a moment for compassion, not campaigning.
