Ill. GOP Chief Resigns After Backing Same-Sex Marriage

Illinois Republican Party Chairman Pat Brady resigned Tuesday after repeatedly coming under fire for making statements in support of same-sex marriage in January.

However, Brady attributed his resignation to his wife's cancer, which she's been battling for two years, and a desire to focus on his family, rather than the pressure against him generated by gay marriage opponents, the Daily Herald in Chicago reports.

"I've been going hard for six years. It's time to move on," he said. "It's time to focus on my wife and our kids."

Republicans opposed to gay marriage have been calling for Brady's resignation, saying his views on the issue contradict the party's platform. State GOP officials plan to hold a conference call Wednesday morning to discuss how to move forward.

According to the Daily Herald, Brady is vacating a position that has proven difficult to fill at a time in which the party is struggling to define itself in the face of a changing electorate.