(AP) — A former chairman of the Nebraska Republican Party has won confirmation to the State Fair Board, despite criticism that the party under his watch tried to influence the state’s officially nonpartisan Legislature.

Lawmakers voted 31-4 on Friday to confirm Lincoln attorney Mark Fahleson to the board. The vote came in spite of a legislative committee’s recommendation to reject Fahleson’s appointment.

Opponents of the appointment pointed to the state party’s efforts to pressure Republican lawmakers on issues such as a voter identification bill and a measure to provide state-funded prenatal care benefits to women in the country illegally. Those attempts ultimately failed.

Fahleson’s supporters say he’s well-qualified for the State Fair Board position, and the job has nothing to do with partisan politics.