Democrat Jonathan Kreiss-Tomkins, a former state representative, is projected to win the race for governor of Alaska, making him the state’s first Democratic leader in more than two decades, the Associated Press reported.

But Kreiss-Tomkins’ victory isn’t just significant as a partisan shift in the Last Frontier. His win could also help ensure fair certification of the state’s contentious U.S. Senate race.

Ballots are still being tallied, with Democratic challenger Mary Peltola leading incumbent Sen. Dan Sullivan ® by 5,800 votes as of Friday afternoon. But the state’s current Republican governor, Mike Dunleavy, has refused to commit to signing off on certification of the race if Peltola wins.

That’s where Kreiss-Tomkins’ victory could come in.