By Illinois Review
Republican gubernatorial candidate Darren Bailey has temporarily suspended his campaign following the tragic helicopter crash that claimed the lives of his son, daughter-in-law, and two grandchildren. But even in this period of unimaginable grief, Bailey received a call of compassion – and encouragement – from President Donald J. Trump.
According to Bailey’s running mate, Aaron Del Mar, President Trump personally called Bailey on his cell phone Saturday. The two “had a very long talk,” Del Mar said. “He gave Darren, obviously, his condolences and support,” Del Mar added, “but more surprisingly, he encouraged Darren to continue the race and to continue to fight.”
The campaign told Illinois Review that President Trump described Bailey as “a great warrior,” assuring him that he was going to win — and urging him to keep fighting for the people of Illinois.
President Trump has long been a strong supporter of Bailey. In 2022, Trump officially endorsed Bailey’s campaign for governor, calling him a “farmers’ son who will stand tall for Illinois families and never back down to the woke left.”
That endorsement helped propel Bailey to a landslide victory in the Republican primary, cementing his status as the conservative standard-bearer in the state.
Bailey announced earlier this week that he was suspending campaign activities to grieve with his family after the devastating crash in Montana that took the lives of his son Zachary, daughter-in-law Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose and Samuel.
Since the tragedy, prayers have poured in from across the nation, uniting both supporters and opponents in sympathy.
Bailey is expected to remain focused on family and faith in the coming days as funeral services are held in downstate Illinois. His campaign remains on hold, but Trump’s message serves as a powerful reminder that even in tragedy, the mission to restore moral leadership and conservative values in Illinois continues.
