Pat Brady, the Illinois Republican chairman whose support for marriage equality earlier this year rocked his party, has resigned.
Brady sent a letter to the party's Central Committee May 7 resigning his post effective immediately.
"Although the role will change, I will continue to be active in Illinois and national politics in a variety of capacities, including organizations supporting our candidates in the upcoming gubernatorial and congressional races," Brady wrote, in a letter published on the state party's website.
Brady's resignation comes after months of turmoil surrounding his support for same-sex marriage in Illinois. Brady survived repeated attempts to oust him after he publicly backed equal marriage during the General Assembly's lame duck session in January.
Sen. Jim Oberweis, called for Brady's departure.
But Brady also had the support of prominent state Republicans like Sen. Mark Kirk, Comptroller Judy Baar Topinka and former Govs. Jim Edgar and Jim Thompsom.
Attempts to oust him ultimately failed.
The Associated Press reported that Brady cited his wife's battle with cancer in his decision to step down, not the controversy surrounding his marriage stance.
Vice-Chairman Carol Smith Donovan will fill Brady's role as acting chairman until the position is filled, according to the state party's website.
Brady's support for same-sex marriage comes at time when the Illinois House appears poised to legalize same-sex marriage and when Republicans nationally are increasingly supportive of equal marriage.
Brady's letter can be viewed in full at: weareillinois.org/connect/newsDetail.aspx and it is pasted below:
Pat Brady's Letter of Resignation as Illinois GOP Chairman
5/7/2013
This letter shall service as notice to the State Central Committee of my resignation as Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party effective immediately.
It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as Chairman of the Illinois Republican Party for nearly the last four years. Working together, I believe that we have accomplished a great deal.
In 2010, Illinois Republicans had their best election cycle in decades electing Senator Mark Kirk to President Obama's former Senate seat, four new GOP members of Congress, two GOP statewide constitutional officers, six new GOP members to the Illinois House and Senate and won down-ticket races in all parts of the state — in some places for the first time ever.
A key component to those victories was the Illinois Republican Party's first ever-statewide get out the vote program. ("Victory") In 2010, starting from scratch, the Illinois Republican Party built the number one ranked Victory program in the nation, making over 4.5 million voter contacts and collecting millions of pieces of voter information. Building on our 2010 successes, the Illinois Republican Party in 2012 ran the number one ranked "orphan" program focusing our GOTV efforts on the six- targeted congressional races and marshaling over 1,500 volunteers to the statewide Victory Centers.
A direct by-product of our Victory efforts is now all Illinois Republicans, from precinct workers to candidates, have millions of previously unavailable pieces of voter information providing a solid foundation on which to build voter identification programs now and in the future. Our Victory Program successes over the last four years also re-established the credibility of the Illinois Republican Party with national party organizations. Because of our efforts, the national leadership can rely on the Illinois Republican Party as a trusted partner in getting Republicans elected.
None of our Victory efforts would have been possible without funding. Under the direction of our Finance Director, Sandy Stewart, in the last four years, the Illinois Republican Party has raised record amounts of money to support the party's efforts. In 2010 and 2012, this allowed us to provide unprecedented support to our targeted races. At the same time, we cut Party operational expenses by 75% so that the funds entrusted to us by our donors went directly to helping get Republicans elected.
Operationally, we instituted reforms to the Party rules that eliminated long-standing practices of having the effect of limiting the voices rank and file Republicans. For the first time in Party history, the State Central Committee Members are subject to term limits and County Chairmen can no longer vote vacant precincts in the selection of State Central Committee Members.
I want to thank Senator Kirk, all the members of the Illinois GOP Congressional delegation, House GOP Leader Tom Cross and Senate GOP Leader Christine Radogno. Their support to the party has been invaluable.
In stepping down, I want to express thanks to my wife, Julie and our four children. I am confident that no family of volunteers in this state has spent more time in Victory Centers and working for Republican candidates than my homegrown crew of volunteers.
Although the role will change, I will continue to be active in Illinois and national politics in a variety of capacities, including organizations supporting our candidates in the upcoming gubernatorial and congressional races.
Finally, I would like to thank all Republicans voters and activists for all your hard work and donations on behalf of the Illinois Republican Party.
Sincerely,
Patrick M. Brady
