The 1st district encompassed most of the eastern quarter of the state and almost completely enveloped the 2nd district. It included the state capital, Lincoln, as well as the cities of Fremont, Columbus, Norfolk, Beatrice and South Sioux City. Incumbent Republican Jeff Fortenberry, who had represented the district since 2005, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 69% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of R+10.
Scott Kleeb, a businessman who was the nominee for Nebraska's 3rd congressional districtin 2006 and for the U.S. Senate in 2008, was speculated to challenge Ashford, a centrist Democrat, from the left.[4] Kleeb ultimately did not run and Ashford won the primary unopposed.
The 3rd district encompassed the western three-fourths of the state; it was one of the largest non-at-large Congressional districts in the country, covering nearly 65,000 square miles (170,000 km2), two time zones and 68.5 counties. It was mostly sparsely populated but included the cities of Grand Island, Kearney, Hastings, North Platte and Scottsbluff. Incumbent Republican Adrian Smith, who had represented the district since 2007, ran for re-election. He was re-elected with 75% of the vote in 2014. The district had a PVI of R+23.
^ abcdef"Official 2016 Primary Election Results" (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on August 20, 2016. Retrieved October 20, 2016.
^Warneke, Kent (February 23, 2016). "Norfolk physician to challenge Fortenberry for seat in Congress". Norfolk Daily News. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
^ abc"Official Report of the Board of State Canvassers" (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on December 20, 2016. Retrieved December 7, 2016.
^Jordan, Joe (January 15, 2015). "Brad Ashford to get challenge from fellow Democrat? It's a 'possibility'". Nebraska Watchdog. Archived from the original on January 19, 2015. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
^Jordan, Joe (November 5, 2014). "Move over 2014, 2016 Omaha House race is off and running". Nebraska Watchdog. Archived from the original on November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
^Walton, Don (March 24, 2015). "Retired general bids for Ashford House seat". Lincoln Journal Star. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
^Tysver, Robynn (March 25, 2015). "Citing military and foreign policy as priorities, retired Brig. Gen. Don Bacon announces bid for Congress". Omaha World-Herald. Retrieved March 25, 2015.
^ abcdefghijklmnopqr"ENDORSEMENTS". Archived from the original on March 26, 2016. Retrieved March 28, 2016.
^ abcdRobynn Tysver (April 29, 2016). "Don Bacon picks up Ricketts' endorsement in 2nd District race". omaha.com. Omaha World-Herald. Archived from the original on November 18, 2018. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
^ ab"Statewide Candidate List" (PDF). Nebraska Secretary of State. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 5, 2016. Retrieved February 28, 2016.
^Loizzo, Mike (September 26, 2016). "Nebraska's 2nd Congressional District Race Remains a Toss-Up". Nebraska Radio Network. Archived from the original on December 26, 2016. Retrieved December 25, 2016.
^Ben Ray Lujan (February 12, 2015). "FRONTLINE DEMOCRATS 2015-2016". dccc.org/. DCCC. Archived from the original on October 24, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
^"U.S. Chamber of Commerce endorses Brad Ashford over Don Bacon in 2nd District House race". omaha.com. Omaha World-Herald. June 20, 2016. Archived from the original on June 30, 2016. Retrieved July 25, 2023.
^"Young Gun candidates". gopyoungguns.com. Archived from the original on October 29, 2016. Retrieved June 5, 2023.
^"2016 House Race Ratings for November 7, 2016". House: Race Ratings. Cook Political Report. Retrieved November 12, 2016.
^"Daily Kos Elections House race ratings: Initial ratings for 2016". Daily Kos Elections. Retrieved November 7, 2016.