Alaska’s Republican Governor Sean Parnell conceded defeat over the weekend, meaning Bill Walker will be the only independent governor in the country.

Walker, formerly a Republican, ran with Democratic running mate Byron Mallott, who will become the lieutenant governor.

Independent governors are pretty rare. Hawaii, of course, had a four-way contest for governor this year, which included a Libertarian and a Hawaii Independent Party candidate. The Democratic Party candidate prevailed.

Walker, a lawyer, is only the second independent to win the seat in Alaska’s statehood, according to CNN. He is a former mayor of Valdez and city councilor.

“Walker’s mentor, Wally Hickel, served a term as governor with the Alaskan Independence Party, a recognized third-party in the state, before going back to the GOP,” says The Associated Press.

CNN reports that breakdown of governorships starting in January 2015 is now 31 Republicans, 17 Democrats and one independent. The race for governor of Vermont is too close to call and will be settled by the state’s Legislature in January.

Parnell was Gov. Sarah Palin’s running mate in 2006 and took over after she quit in 2009 following her unsuccessful 2008 run for vice president as John McCain’s running mate. Palin endorsed Walker in the 2014 governor’s race.

Denali National Park, Alaska.

Flickr: Frank Kovalchek