Maine Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe was recently approached by the Obama administration for a top job, a spokesman from her office confirmed late Friday afternoon.

But Snowe, who has worked as a lawmaker for Maine citizens since 1973 when she first served as a representative in the state Legislature, declined the offer, he said.

“She had a conversation with the administration and really appreciated being considered, but really just enjoys her job in the Senate, working for the people of Maine,” said John Gentzel, a spokesman for Snowe. “That’s something she’s said all along, as the rumors were circulating earlier.”

He said Snowe did not reveal what spot she was asked about.

She is is the ranking Republican on the Senate Small Business and Entrepreurship Committee.

Rumors swirled last year that Snowe would be a surprise vice presidential pick for Republican candidate John McCain.

Post-election, her name often came up as a potential cabinet pick for President Obama, who made campaign promises to work in a bipartisan fashion.

Obama has filled most of the top spots in his cabinet already, but has yet to tap a replacement for Secretary of Commerce, after his first pick, Gov. Bill Richardson of New Mexico, withdrew.

New Hampshire Sen. Judd Gregg, also a Republican, said earlier on Friday that Obama is currently considering him for the position. According to White House press secretary Robert Gibbs, a final selection has not been made.

“I talked to the president specifically about a decision on the next commerce secretary,” said Gibbs at a press briefing in Washington on Friday. “And the last time I talked to him this morning, a final decision had not been made.”

Snowe, 61, was the youngest Republican woman elected to the U.S. House of Representatives at age 31, and is the first woman to have served in both houses in state Legislature and both houses of the U.S. Congress.

She was born in Augusta and spent some of her childhood in Auburn, where she attended Edward Little High School.