Illinois Republican Chairman Pat Brady
on Tuesday stepped down from his post, four months after announcing
his support for a proposed gay marriage bill, the Chicago
Tribune reported.
Brady said in a statement that
legalizing the institution for gay couples “honors the best
conservative principles. It strengthens and reinforces a key
Republican value – that the law should treat all citizens equally.”
Party leaders almost immediately called
for Brady's resignation. Early attempts to oust Brady failed. But
GOP leaders approved a succession plan last month and began a search
for a new chairman, leaving Brady with few options.
In resigning, Brady thanked Illinois
Senator Mark Kirk and his wife Julie for their support. He said he
was leaving for personal reasons.
After Democrats regained control in
2012, Brady, who served as party chairman for over 3 years, argued
that the party needed to be more inclusive.
“It's about addition and not
subtraction,” he said at the time, “and if we come off as
mean-spirited or angry or too dogmatic, then we don't attract people
to the party.”