Dean Phillips is optimistic about Tuesday's New Hampshire Democratic presidential primary election, his first real test in his long-shot run at the White House that was announced less than three months ago.
Representing Minnesota's third congressional district, Phillips told Blois Olson on WCCO's Sunday Take that two things will happen on Tuesday.
"There might be a little January surprise coming," said Phillips, speaking from New Hampshire.
"A very weak incumbent, who should be getting in the 80-plus percent range, I think he's going to be very weak," he said. "And I think I'm going to surprise."
Surprise as in getting double-digit support among those making a choice for the Democratic Party nomination among 21 people listed on the ballot.
"I don't know what the number will be, somewhere in the double-digits would be outstanding," Phillips said. "If it were in the 20's that would be great, but will be a beginning."
Among the factors that could help Phillips is that President Joe Biden is not on the ballot.
Biden is not running in New Hampshire because Democratic National Party leaders say that state is not compliant with their rules, which declared South Carolina as having the first official primary of the election cycle.
This comes as Philips said he'd consider running for president on the No Labels ticket, making the statement in an interview published in the New York Times.
No Labels is a centrist group looking to put up an independent candidate for the White House.
Phillips got into the race after saying last year that it's time for younger candidates with fresh ideas.
Allies to the president are concerned about any candidate who could potentially take votes away from Biden.
Phillips has said he'll support Biden for a second term if he believes the president can beat Republican front-runner Donald Trump.