The son of Republican candidate for governor Darren Bailey, along with two of Bailey’s grandchildren and daughter-in-law, were killed in a helicopter crash in Montana, the former state senator’s campaign announced early Thursday.

“On Wednesday evening, Darren and his wife, Cindy, received the heartbreaking news no parent ever wants to hear. Their son, Zachary, his wife, Kelsey, and their two young children, Vada Rose, age 12, and Samuel, age 7, tragically lost their lives in a helicopter accident in Montana,” the campaign said on Facebook .

The accident comes just weeks after Bailey announced his plans to run for the GOP nomination for governor for the second time. Bailey was the Republican nominee for the office in 2022 before losing by about 13 percentage points to Democratic Gov

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