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Ashford, the leading Democratic officeholder in Nebraska, sought re-election on the heels of a productive first term that resulted in acquisition of federal funding for major projects in the Omaha area that he credited in part to the teamwork of bipartisan cooperation.

That included funding for reconstruction of the deteriorating runway at Offutt Air Force Base at Bellevue, approval of an innovative public-private partnership to fund a new Veterans Administration Hospital in Omaha and funding for a new Ebola training center at the University of Nebraska Medical Center.

Ashford won the first Democratic congressional victory in Nebraska in 22 years when he ousted eight-term Republican Rep. Lee Terry in 2014.

Bacon, a retired U.S. Air Force brigadier general, mounted an energetic challenge tied to conservative Republican principles that turned the 2nd District contest into a highly competitive battle targeted by both national parties.  

Meanwhile, Rep. Jeff Fortenberry of Lincoln, the senior member of Nebraska's congressional delegation, rolled easily to a seventh term over Democratic nominee Daniel Wik of Norfolk.

Wik, a pain management physician, came to the race armed with ideas, but said he had accepted only $75 in outside campaign contributions. 

Eastern Nebraska's 1st District, which includes Lincoln, Norfolk, Columbus and Fremont, hasn't elected a Democrat to Congress since 1964.

In the House, Fortenberry is a member of the Appropriations Committee and its subcommittee on military construction and veterans affairs.  

Those assignments helped position the congressman to represent the interests of Offutt, which was added to his district as a result of redistricting following the 2010 federal census.

Out west, Rep. Adrian Smith of Gering swept unopposed to his sixth term in the vast, heavily Republican 3rd District. The congressman, who represents a 75-county swath of Nebraska, is strategically positioned as a member of the House Ways and Means Committee.

Western Nebraska has not elected a Democratic congressman since 1958.