Even Democrats wonder whether King stands much of a chance. After King hinted at a possible presidential bid last month, House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) was asked by a reporter during a press conference for her thoughts on the matter.

“Was he serious?” she responded to a room full of laughter.

Coming from the House chamber, King faces historically steep odds because he doesn’t have the donor base or the name recognition that other candidates coming from a governorship or the Senate may have.

In a recent Quinnipiac University poll, more about 70 percent of respondents did not know who King was.

“Even if there is about 29 percent of the country that knows who I am, well that’s about 40 million voters. That’s not bad for somebody who’s starting from a congressional seat,” King said.