CHICAGO – The Illinois Republican Party’s central committee backed off an attempt to fire party chairman Pat Brady on Saturday, amid concern that ousting him because of his support for gay marriage could damage GOP efforts to appeal to more moderate voters.

Brady became a target of some socially conservative members of the party when he spoke out in favor of a bill before the Legislature earlier this year that would end Illinois’ ban on same-sex marriage.

Committeemen had scheduled a meeting to consider firing him Saturday. It was canceled late Friday, partly because it became clear there weren’t enough votes to remove Brady.