Elected to Nebraska Legislature: 1986; re-elected 1990; 2006; re-elected 2010

Born Nov. 10, 1949, in Omaha.

Education: Attended Westside High School; Gustavus Adolphus College; Colgate University (B.A.), 1971; Creighton University School of Law, (J.D.), 1974.

Family: Married Ann Ferlic, Aug. 27, 1993; three children: John, Ellie and Tom.

Occupation: Attorney, businessman.

Former: Director, Omaha Housing Authority; judge, Commission of Industrial Relations.

Member: Senior fellow, Creighton University School of Law Werner Institute for Negotiation and Dispute Resolution; cofounder, Werner Institute Public Issues Collaboration Initiative; Nebraska Bar Association; Minnesota Bar Association; Nebraska Bar Foundation; Omaha Suburban Rotary.

Former member: Metropolitan Entertainment and Convention Authority (founding member); Omaha Housing Authority Board of Directors (chair); Salvation Army Advisory Board.

Read the Unicameral Update’s feature article on Sen. Ashford.