The Illinois Republican Party central committee has canceled Saturday's scheduled meeting in which it was to consider firing party chairman Pat Brady.
Some committeemen wanted to oust Brady, largely because he publicly supported gay marriage when a bill was before the state Legislature earlier this year.
A member of the Illinois Republican Party's central committee says a meeting was canceled partly because there weren't enough votes to fire party chairman Pat Brady.
A meeting had been scheduled for Saturday. It was canceled Friday night amid pressure from prominent Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk and House Republican Leader Tom Cross.
State Sen. Dave Syverson is a committeeman and GOP treasurer from Rockford. He says the vote would have been close, but members who had concerns about Brady separate from his gay marriage stance "didn't want to be tied up in" that flap.
Several prominent Republicans, including U.S. Sen. Mark Kirk and state House Republican Leader Tom Cross, had recently weighed in on the issue, saying it would be a mistake. They also say if the party is going to grow it needs to be more inclusive.
A spokesman for Kirk says he's pleased and "it's time to move on."
