Avenatti's actions on potential presidential run speak louder than his words
By Sara Sidner and Dan Merica, CNN
Updated 8:57 AM ET, Sat August 18, 2018
(CNN)Michael Avenatti, the boisterous lawyer who has risen to national fame in recent months by publicly pestering Donald Trump, will continue his public flirtations with running for President in 2020 by headlining two more Democratic Party events this weekend, sources tell CNN.
Avenatti's near constant presence at Democratic events over the last two weeks has caused some Democrats to reconsider their belief that the lawyer's run is a publicity stunt aimed at annoying the President.
On Saturday, Avenatti will speak at the Hillsborough County Democrats Kennedy King Dinner in Florida, a Democrat close to Avenatti tells CNN. He will follow up that appearance on Sunday -- after an early morning flight -- by appearing at "Hillsborough County Democrat's Summer Picnic" in New Hampshire, a crucial state for presidential contenders.
Avenatti has said he is attending the events to talk to voters and listen to their concerns, but his actions speak louder than his words and Democrats close to the lawyer believe he is now seriously considering a 2020 run. Avenatti is shy about little, including the reasons behind this latest trip, his fifth in two weeks.
"Obviously, New Hampshire is the second state that ultimately picks a Democratic nominee. In the event I were to run, it's important to be there," he told CNN.
Avenatti has made two trips to Ohio in as many weeks, where he met with David Betras, the chairman of the Mahoning County Democratic Party, and had dinner with Rep. Tim Ryan, another possible 2020 Democratic contender who represents Youngstown.
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https://www.cnn.com/2018/08/18/politics/avenatti-president-campaign-decision/index.html