Former Illinois state Sen. Darren Bailey has broken his silence after the tragic helicopter crash on Oct. 22 that killed his son, daughter-in-law and two of his grandchildren.

Bailey — who is currently running for Illinois governor in the 2026 election — posted to X on Wednesday, Oct. 29, sharing a heartfelt message alongside a photo of his late son, Zachary, and his son’s family.

“Cindy and I are deeply grateful for the outpouring of love, prayers, and support our family has received,” he wrote. “The Bailey family—Zachary Adam, age 37, Kelsey Danielle, age 35, and a cherished daughter and son, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel Isaac, age 7—of Xenia, Illinois, passed away on October 22, 2025, in Ekalaka, Montana. Their firstborn son, Finnley Tate, age 10, survives, surrounded by loving family.”

Bailey’s post also included details for the upcoming Celebration of Life service. In lieu of flowers and gifts, the family is asking for memorial donations to a GoFundMe account for Finnley.

Bailey’s campaign previously shared the tragic news that Zachary, Kelsey, Vada Rose and Samuel had died after a helicopter Zachary was piloting crashed on the way home from a convention in Montana.

PEOPLE spoke with Bailey’s running mate, Cook County GOP Chairman Aaron Del Mar, the day after the crash. He shared that he had been in the same helicopter with the family just a month and a half prior.

Zachary, who used his helicopter license for both farm business and to help his father’s campaigns, flew Bailey and Del Mar to several campaign stops around the state, ending with an evening event in DuPage.

“We’re in that helicopter for eight hours, going to each stop, and you chat and we get to know each other,” Del Mar recalled. “And the way that he spoke with reverence for his father and his mom, not a lot of people have that. I hope one day that my children speak about me in that same way. He just was a good guy.”

Something that really impressed the politician about his running mate’s son was how he came to be a helicopter pilot in the first place.

“He told me that he worked with a Christian ministry group that taught him how to fly so he could deliver food in medicine to people in third-world countries,” Del Mar shared. “I think that goes to his character. I think it shows how he was a servant leader. I think it goes to his commitment and faith and helping others. The Bailey family is fully committed to faith and family.”

In addition to their family farm in Xenia, the Bailey family also started a community Christian school, a nutrition company and other ventures aimed at helping their southern Illinois neighbors.

“The whole family is very active in their ministry and providing services to the community, and I think that goes to show how much they care about the people around them,” Del Mar shared. “This is a tragedy no matter who it happened to, but the fact that it happened to Darren Bailey and who he is, and what he’s done for the community, and what he’s done for the state, makes it so much more powerful.”

As for what will happen to Finnley, who avoided tragedy simply because there were only four seats in the helicopter, Del Mar said the family was still figuring everything out in the midst of mourning. However, he had no doubt that the boy will be raised with love and support.

“There’s an everlasting legacy that Zach and his wife and children are going to leave,” he said. “I know the family at my core… There’s a community and aunts and uncles and cousins that are going to protect and guide him as he grows. And that offers me a small amount of comfort for the tragic loss that we’ve had.”

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Del Mar shared how, following the crash, the gubernatorial campaign immediately transitioned into the “Bailey Support Team,” working together to help the family in whatever way they could. But as for when they’ll get back to politics, he told PEOPLE he didn’t know and frankly, didn’t care at the moment.

“You can quote me on that: I don’t care,” he repeated. “Honestly, authentically… I care about this family. They honored me by bringing me into their campaign and bringing me into the fold.”

Tragically, he also revealed that Zachary had aspirations to follow his father into politics, once again sharing his reverence for the running mate he’s come to respect so much.

“I think that Zach was going to be somebody that was going to follow in his father’s footsteps, and I hope that Finn knows that,” he said.