Wichita ? The senior adviser for President Barack Obama’s presidential campaign in Kansas confirmed Monday that he has been recommended for the top federal law enforcement job in the state.

Lawrence attorney Dan Watkins told The Associated Press he expected to know more about his status for the job of U.S. attorney for Kansas in three weeks or more. He said Obama has not yet made a nomination for Kansas.

Watkins, a longtime Democratic Party activist and friend of Health and Human Services Secretary Kathleen Sebelius, declined to specify who recommended him for the position.

The White House consulted with Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., and the discussions have been positive, Brian Hart, the senator’s spokesman, said without elaborating.

“It is our understanding that the vetting process is ongoing, and an official nomination will hopefully be made soon,” Hart said in an e-mail.

The top job at the U.S. attorney’s office in Kansas has been filled by a series of temporary replacements since Eric Melgren resigned the position to take a federal judgeship in the waning days of President George Bush’s presidency.

Lanny Welch is now serving as interim U.S. attorney in Kansas until the Senate confirms whoever Obama ultimately appoints to the job.

“Because the U.S. attorney position is a presidential appointment, the appointees are by nature political in their background — almost without exception,” said Lee Thompson, a Wichita attorney who served as U.S. attorney in Kansas from 1990 to 1993 after his appointment by the first President Bush, a Republican.

Political knowledge and background provide benefits because appointees usually know the people at the top of the Department of Justice and you share the goals and general attitudes of the political orientation and the DOJ’s priorities, he said.

“I had connections with other U.S. attorneys whom I had met in political settings and I think that was helpful, you share a common background,” Thompson said. “I think you have to balance that with your role as chief law enforcement officer for the federal government in your district.”

Thompson, who in private practice represented slain abortion provider George Tiller, said it is possible those political connections could come into play if there was a need to enforce the Freedom of Access to Clinic Entrances (FACE) Act.

“You might have a more receptive hearing at the top of the office than you might under a different administration,” he said. “I would hope so, from my personal standpoint.”