Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady
on Saturday survived a second attempt to remove him as party chairman
over his support for gay marriage in Illinois.
While top state GOP leaders did not
take a vote on removing Brady during a 3-hour meeting held at the
Tinley Park Convention, they did approve a succession strategy, the
Chicago
Tribune reported.
“I'm still here,” Brady told
reporters after the meeting. “I think it was a good, productive
meeting. We'll see what happens going forward.”
One member told the paper that the
succession panel will function as a search committee to choose
Brady's successor. The panel is expected to issue its findings
within 30 to 45 days.
Outside the convention doors, a group
of about 50 social conservative and tea party activists held a rally.
Brady has been under fire since
January, when he endorsed a proposed bill which seeks to legalize
marriage for gay couples in Illinois. The measure awaits action in
the Illinois House after approval in the Senate.
“It strengthens and reinforces a key
Republican value – that the law should treat all citizens equally,”
Brady said in a statement at the time.
An attempt last month to oust Brady
failed due to a lack of votes.
(Related: Illinois
GOP cancels debate on ouster of chairman over gay marriage.)