In an exclusive interview with NBC’s Kelly O’Donnell, Orman says he would initially caucus with whichever party has majority control in the Senate, because “it’s in the best interests of the voters of Kansas that they have a senator in the majority.”

But, he added, he wouldn’t limit himself to an alliance with one party over the other, especially if the Senate is evenly split.

“If four or five months goes by, and it’s clear they’re engaged in the same old partisan politics, we’ll be able to change our allegiances and work with the other side,” he said. “And I think that’s a really strong and important tool, to hold the Senate accountable for actually getting something done.”

Asked by O’Donnell if he can envision switching parties once he arrives in Washington, Orman responded that he “absolutely” can.