FORT WORTH, Texas — Republicans in one of the most populous counties in Texas have voted to support a Muslim doctor as a party vice chairman following infighting over some members' claims about his beliefs.

The executive committee of the Tarrant County Republican Party voted late Thursday to keep Shahid Shafi in office. Shafi is a surgeon and City Council member in suburban Fort Worth.

A precinct chairman in Tarrant County led the call to oust Shahid Shafi, a surgeon and City Council member in suburban Fort Worth. Top Republicans have condemned the effort to oust him, including U.S. Sen. Ted Cruz and Land Commissioner George P. Bush.

Some party members claimed Shafi may be more loyal to Islamic law or connected to a terrorist group. Shafi denies both claims, and other Republicans have called the claims bigoted.