State representative drops from GOP chairman race

A candidate for the chairmanship of the Illinois Republican Party who supports gay marriage has pulled out of contention for the post.

State Rep. Ron Sandack of Downers Grove told the Chicago Sun-Times (http://bit.ly/12CdbH6) he doesn’t have the needed Republican Central Committee votes. Sandack also said his votes on gay marriage are in line with his district but may not be with the central committee.

Sandack also told the Sun-Times he didn’t want same-sex marriage to define the next Republican leader.

Party chairman Pat Brady resigned last week, citing personal reasons. Brady was under attack by conservative Republicans because of his support of gay marriage.

Sandack’s withdrawal leaves eight others in the running for GOP chairman, including Chicago Young Republicans president Angel Garcia and Cook County Commissioner Tim Schneider.