On the day porn-star attorney Michael Avenatti was arrested on domestic-violence charges, some Democratic officials began to get queasy about the 2020 presidential campaign he is pondering.
The Vermont Democratic Party had two events planned for this weekend with the anti-Trump lawyer, one each in Burlington and White River Junction.
But after the news of the felony domestic-violence case against him broke, party officials started getting cold feet.
“The Vermont Democratic Party has canceled Mr. Avenatti’s forthcoming scheduled appearances in Vermont, and will be refunding all ticket sales,” state-party spokesman R. Christopher Di Mezzo said in a statement posted on social media.
The party scrubbed promotions for the events, set for Friday and Saturday, on its website.
“We have not heard from his people, but while there is some kind of arrest and investigation to ensue, we’re not going to step into that arena with him.” Mr. Di Mezzo told the Burlington Free Press.
SEE ALSO: Michael Avenatti arrested on domestic violence charges
Since becoming the attorney for porn-star Stormy Daniels, Mr. Avenatti has invented himself as an anti-Trump fighter and declared his interest in a possible presidential run — to cheers from many party faithful who like his combative style as the perfect contra-Trump.
According to the Free Press, the Burlington event was promoted as a town-hall meeting, with a VIP reception available, while the White River Junction appearance was “cocktails and conversation.”
Mr. Di Mezzo told the Vermont Digger that tickets to the Burlington meeting had been selling well, but the White River Junction event wasn’t doing so much.
• Victor Morton can be reached at vmorton@washingtontimes.com.
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