Orlando Sentinel

Michael Avenatti,

Avenatti visits Iowa as he is ‘seriously considerin­g’ a bid

- By Michael Finnegan michael.finnegan@latimes.com

the attorney for adultfilm actress Stormy Daniels, is taking his first steps toward exploring a potential 2020 presidenti­al bid.

After months of hammering President Donald Trump in frequent television interviews, lawyer Michael Avenatti arrived in Iowa to explore a potential run for the White House.

The attorney for porn actress Stormy Daniels toured the Iowa State Fair in Des Moines on Thursday.

He was scheduled to speak Friday at the Democratic Wing Ding dinner in Clear Lake.

He’s meeting with farmers to hear how Trump’s tariffs are affecting the state that kicks off the 2020 contests for the Democratic presidenti­al nomination.

“I am seriously considerin­g it but have not made a decision,” Avenatti said by email. “I would be running in an effort to end this disaster of a presidency and restore America to its rightful place, both domestical­ly and internatio­nally.”

Avenatti’s pugnacious manner has made him a ubiquitous presence on television news and talk shows in the five months since Daniels, whose real name is Stephanie Clifford, sued the president to void a confidenti­ality pact that bars her from talking about her alleged 2006 affair with Trump.

Avenatti, 47, is a Newport Beach, Calif., plaintiffs’ lawyer specializi­ng in lawsuits against powerful companies accused of wrongdoing.

“I have over 18 years fighting on behalf of Davids vs. Goliaths,” he said. “I have extensive knowledge as to how government functions, how laws are made, and how they are enforced. I also have extensive experience dealing with Constituti­onal law matters.”

Avenatti’s aggressive­ness toward Trump has made him a hero to some on the left and a loathed figure to some on the right.

 ?? SUSAN WATTS/TNS ?? Michael Avenatti is the attorney for Stormy Daniels, who sued the president to void a confidenti­ality pact.
SUSAN WATTS/TNS Michael Avenatti is the attorney for Stormy Daniels, who sued the president to void a confidenti­ality pact.

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