As President-elect Barack Obama continues to fill his cabinet positions, there are already whispers of who will become the next U.S. Attorney in South Dakota. 

One of the names floating to the top of discussions is Brendan Johnson, son of South Dakota's Senior Senator Tim Johnson, which could raise some ethical questions. 

At the age of 33, Brendan Johnson makes it no secret, he has dreamt of becoming a U.S. Attorney. 

"My real passion has led to prosecution and to represent South Dakota that way," Brendan Johnson said.

Johnson says he is considering applying for the position but will wait until the process begins to make a definite decision. 

"At that point I'm going to need to sit down with my family and with my law partners and discuss it," Johnson said.

Traditionally, the senior U.S. senator nominates someone for U.S. Attorney; in that case, it would be Brendan's dad, Senator Tim Johnson. 

If Senator Johnson does select his son, it wouldn't be the first time that's happened. Political analysts say if history tells us anything, it's almost certain Brendan Johnson would get the confirmation. 

Political analyst Brent Lerseth says if Senator Johnson nominates his son, nepotism may come into question. But traditionally, senators don't try to block other senator's nominations. 

"Say if another senator from another state objected to Johnson nominating his own son and stepped in and said I'm going to vote against that nomination, then Johnson would turn around and not support somebody that senator proposed for their given state," Brent Lerseth said. 

But Brendan Johnson says that won't happen. He says this position is too important to South Dakotans to play politics. 

"I believe, and my father believes, that he needs to be walled off 100 percent in the process and that also means no letters of endorsement or calling anybody or asking for favors. I'll stand on my record and nothing else," Johnson said. 

If his dad does indeed stay out of it, a bi-partisan committee could be formed to make the recommendation, which would then go before the senate for confirmation.

Current U-S Attorney Marty Jackley still has a year and a half left on his appointment. But he realizes under a new administration, he'll likely be replaced.