Avenatti Optimistic about 2020 Despite Domestic-Violence Allegations

Michael Avenatti remains optimistic about his chances of winning the Democratic presidential nomination in 2020 despite the host of damaging personal and professional revelations he’s faced over the past few weeks.

Avenatti has in recent months delivered speeches in key presidential-primary states and established a PAC to raise money for a possible 2020 bid. But in the last six weeks alone, he has also been arrested for domestic violence, publicly feuded with porn-star client Stormy Daniels, and been referred to the Department of Justice for making false statements to Congress in connection with his representation of Brett Kavanaugh accuser Julie Swetnick.

Despite those recent blows to his image, Avenatti believes his political stock is on the rise.

“I think the field is shaping up to be even more advantageous for someone like me, not less,” Avenatti told Politico Sunday. “I think my chances have only gone up, not gone down.”

Avenatti first emerged on the political scene while representing Daniels in her defamation suit against President Trump — a suit Daniels now claims Avenatti filed against her wishes. Daniels also recently accused Avenatti of refusing to disburse funds provided to her by supporters through a crowd-funding campaign he established on her behalf.

In addition to his public rift with Daniels, Avenatti is also facing significant legal troubles: He was arrested on November 14 in Los Angeles after his girlfriend accused him of dragging her across his apartment during a dispute. Avenatti has vehemently denied the domestic-violence allegations and has accused right-wing provocateur and conspiracy monger Jacob Wohl of fabricating evidence in order to facilitate his arrest. He was released on $50,000 bail and will not face felony charges, but misdemeanor charges may yet materialize.