Perhaps better than any living American politician, former Sen. Roland Burris can sympathize with Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, who is being considered for a Senate appointment expected soon from a scandal-plagued governor.

The Illinois Democrat, formerly a state attorney general himself, re-entered public office with a 2008 appointment to President Barack Obama's empty Senate seat.

Then-Illinois governor and current prison inmate Rod Blagojevich had been arrested for trying to sell Obama's seat and, in saying yes, Burris lacquered himself with the scandal's taint.

Alabama Gov. Robert Bentley is not accused of trying to sell the Senate seat being vacated Wednesday upon confirmation of Sen. Jeff Sessions, R-Ala., as U.S. Attorney General. But critics including fellow Republicans fear the appearance of a corrupt trade.

Strange’s office is conducting an investigation related to Bentley, against whom Strange requested impeachment proceedings be paused pending “related work” by his office. And Bentley would pick Strange’s replacement, potentially influencing that work.

Burris says he doesn’t know Strange or specific details about his relationship with Bentley, but that accepting a Senate appointment is a no-brainer for anyone interested in public service, even if under imperfect circumstances.

“Even though he’s a Republican, it’s certainly something he should consider,” Burris says about Strange. “My advice is, if he has a desire to move up to be a public servant in that capacity, that it’s a wonderful experience.”

But for Strange, as for Burris, there are risks.

“All the hate for the governor got transferred to me by the press, and they tried to vilify me because I had the audacity to accept the appointment,” Burris recalls.

It later was reported that Burris had contact with Blagojevich’s brother. The former senator, who decided against seeking reelection and left office in 2010, says he tried in vain to clear his name in the public’s mind, even though he was never charged. “The more I tried to explain it people tried to find some kind of angle,” Burris says.

A similar situation could face Strange.

"I think that would look like collusion and conspiracy," Alabama state Rep. Ed Henry, a Republican, told U.S. News last week about a potential Strange appointment.

Other officials and political analysts are split on whether taking the job would be a wise move for Strange.

Alabama Attorney General Luther Strange, pictured at the Optimist Club's 2015 Respect For Law Banquet. Eric Schultz/AL.com

"I know there are some people who are concerned that if he selects [Attorney] General Strange as senator, they will have 'cut a deal' to ensure the prosecution of the governor – the investigation that could lead to the prosecution of the governor – is stymied," Alabama Secretary of State John Merrill, also a Republican, told U.S. News. But he says he believes Bentley would pick a person with integrity as Strange’s replacement.

Selma, Alabama, Police Chief Spencer Collier, a whistleblower who helped make Bentley's alleged misconduct a national news story last year, said he wasn't so sure and believes Bentley would select Strange for "nefarious reasons."

Collier was Alabama's secretary of law enforcement before he was fired by Bentley in March. Bentley claimed possible misuse of state funds, but Collier -- cleared by a grand jury and a state audit -- said he was fired as retaliation for disobeying an order from Bentley not to sign an affidavit in the corruption case against Republican House Speaker Mike Hubbard, who was convicted in June and sentenced to four years in prison.

At about the same time he was fired, Collier alleged Bentley was sleeping with senior aide Rebekah Mason, whose husband is a Bentley appointee, raising questions about misuse of resources. Both Mason and Bentley have denied having a "physical" relationship, though recorded comments featured Bentley telling Mason he loved her and talking about touching her breasts.

Politico reported Tuesday that Bentley is leaning toward appointing Strange, but Bentley spokeswoman Yasamie August said in a Wednesday email that he had not yet selected from a list of six finalists.

Michael Joffrion, a spokesman for Strange, told U.S. News in an email slightly after noon Wednesday that his boss had not been notified if he has the job.