With votes still being counted, the Republican incumbent was easily ahead in Tuesday's five-candidate primary. The top two vote-getters will move onto the May 11 general election.

Challenger R.J. Neary, a 68-year-old commercial real estate broker, was running second in a five-candidate field. Neary is a Democrat.

Early in the evening, Stothert had nearly 60% of the votes counted, representing early ballots received through Monday. Results from Tuesday's voting were counted late into the evening.

Neary, running second, had about 17%, the Omaha World-Herald reported.