John Bradley Ashford (November 10, 1949 – April 19, 2022) was an American politician who served in the Nebraska Legislature and the United States House of Representatives from Nebraska's 2nd congressional district. After serving in the state legislature from 1987 to 1995, Ashford ran for the Republican nomination in Nebraska's 2nd congressional district, but was defeated. He returned to the state legislature in 2007 and served until 2015 when he successfully ran for the House of Representatives against incumbent Representative Lee Terry. After serving in the House of Representatives for two years he was defeated by Don Bacon and was later defeated in the Democratic primary in 2018 when he ran to reclaim his House seat. Early life John Bradley Ashford was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on November 10, 1949, to Don Ashford and Ellen Swanson. Don Ashford had served as a bomber during World War II and received a Distinguished Flying Cross. Ellen Swanson and her family had immigrated from Sweden and her father Otto Swanson had been a businessman in Omaha, Nebraska, who had helped with the formation of the National Conference of Christians and Jews due to local boycotts of Jewish businesses. Ashford attended Westside High School in Omaha and graduated in 1967. From 1968 to 1971, he attended and graduated from Colgate University with a bachelor of Arts. During his attendance at Colgate University he served as an intern for Senator Roman Hruska and attended an anti-Vietnam War rally. He later criticized Forrest Gump for its depiction of Abbie Hoffman, but stated that he still enjoyed the movie as "it was a travelogue of my early life". From 1971 to 1974, he attended and graduated from Creighton University with a Juris Doctor. From 1974 to 1975, he served as a staff attorney for the Federal Highway Administration. Brad married Ann Ferlic, with whom he had three children. Career Nebraska Legislature 1987–1995 In 1986, Ashford considered running for the Democratic nomination in Nebraska's 2nd congressional district against incumbent Republican Hal Daub. However, on January 15, he announced that he would run in the 6th district in the state legislature as more important decisions occurred at the state level and it would cost less than a congressional campaign. On February 3, he formally announced his campaign. In the general election he received the support of the Democratic Party and defeated Republican-backed nominee Robert G. Cunningham. On January 7,