LINCOLN — It’s been said that Brad Ashford could have trouble finding his car in the parking lot at the State Capitol.

But when it came to finding solutions to some of the biggest issues confronting the state and his hometown of Omaha — from gun control, to immigration, to sales taxes and funding a new arena — Ashford often found a way.

The former state senator and U.S. congressional representative died Tuesday from complications of brain cancer. He was 72.

Ashford, an Omaha native, served two eight-year stints in the Nebraska Legislature and two years in the House of Representatives.

He led an agency that worked on behalf of Omaha's poorest and most diverse populations and guided students in the art of public-private partnerships and collaboration.

Those who knew him to say he will be remembered for using his enthusiasm and nonpartisanship to bring political parties and opposing camps together on issues.

Ashford was a registered Republican, then a Democrat, then an independent, and in 2013 registered again as a Democrat.

Earlier this year, after being given his cancer diagnosis, Ashford said “one must never give up hope.’

“There is always hope,” he said. “We have work to do. We need a new attitude. Solutions over politics, our kids deserve that of us.”

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