US: Illinois GOP Chairman resigns after supporting equal marriage
The Chairman of the US Republican Party in Illinois has resigned, following persistent calls for him to step down over his support for equal marriage, but has denied that is the reason for his resignation.
Pat Brady announced his resignation in a letter to the Republican Party’s central committee, and was adamant that he resigned because of his wife’s battle with cancer, and not over party divides due to his equal marriage support.
In an interview with the Associated Press, Brady said that his wife had been battling “very serious” cancer, and that he wanted to spend time with her, and their children.
In response to his refusal to resign, Illinois Republicans organised a meeting for 9 March to decide whether he should stay in his role, but it was cancelled at short notice.
Brady previously said the reaction to his pro-equality stance enforced public perception that the Republican party is a group of “old white guys”, but said he would respect the decision of the committee.