Joe Biden’s longtime friend and colleague Sen. Chris Coons may be key to the president-elect being able to work with Senate Republicans.

Coons, 57, has a unique relationship with many GOP lawmakers, working closely with them even in a highly partisan climate. During an interview with Politico, the Delaware Democrat said he hopes to help Biden in the Senate, though he would have been open to a position within the administration. Coons was a top contender for Biden’s secretary of state, a post eventually given to Tony Blinken.