Illinois GOP Chairman Pat Brady Escapes Second Ouster Attempt Over Gay Marriage
- By
- On Top Magazine Staff
- | April 14, 2013
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.)