It appears another top Nebraska Republican, other than Gov. Pete Ricketts, is interested in the U.S. Senate seat being vacated by Sen. Be Sasse.

Recently asked by News Channel Nebraska if Congressman Don Bacon would be asking Gov.-elect Jim Pillen for the upcoming appointment, a Bacon spokesperson told NCN there would be “no response.”

Before the appointment officially opened up, NCN asked Bacon directly if he had any interest in the seat and Bacon said, “I’m not going to say no.”

[View our video story above, complete transcript below].

NCN’s Joe Jordan: Any interest in the US Senate seat when Sen. Sasse steps down?

Congressman Don Bacon (R): I'll tell you more tomorrow we'll see how we do tonight.

That’s Omaha area Congressman Republican Don Bacon nearly one month ago, Election Day, as he wins a fourth term in Nebraska’s purple 2nd District.

Just days before Sen. Ben Sasse said he was quitting his job, a few years early, to take the top job at the University of Florida.

It’s now widely expected that Gov.-elect Jim Pillen will soon appoint outgoing governor Pete Ricketts, who ponied up at least $100,000 to help Pillen get elected.

To some and all too obvious backroom deal.

In part because at least one leading Nebraska Republican, former Gov. Dave Heineman says Ricketts isn't the only ready-to-go-on-day-one name that's out there.

Former Gov. Dave Heineman (R), KFAB Radio:  If we’re honest with everybody there are four logical choices, OK. Gov. Ricketts, Congressman Smith, Congressman Bacon, and Congressman Flood.

But Flood and Smith tell News Channel Nebraska they're not sending Pillen their resumes.

Curiously enough when NCN asked Bacon, and we asked just a few days ago if he was submitting his resume, we were told there would be “no response.”

Which takes us back to that Election Day interview.

Bacon: No one has expressed interest to me about doing that. There is a strike from us, this district is so competitive that I think people are maybe reluctant to open it up for a special election. So, I don't really perceive or expect it to happen. But I would also say I want to serve our country. God opens doors and shuts doors, so I'm not going to say no.

Pillen is reportedly not releasing names of those who apply, NCN has asked but we’ve not heard back.

We do know of one Democrat who wants the job, Ann Ashford, widow of former Congressman Brad Ashford.

According to her application Ashford, who ran and lost a bid for Congress in 2018, says she has “extensive background working in a number of industries on a global basis.”