Former Virginia Gov. Terry McAuliffe (D) on Sunday downplayed talk of a potential presidential bid in 2020, saying all Democrats should be focused on this year's midterm elections.

"I bristle when I hear about 2020, just because we have so much at stake: 36 governors, the House, the Senate. Our future is on the line this year," McAuliffe said on CNN's "State of the Union."

McAuliffe, who is often floated as a potential candidate for the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, was addressing attorney Michael Avenatti's declaration that he's exploring a presidential campaign.

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"These candidates should not be talking about 2020," McAuliffe said. "We have too much at stake. We need to make sure we have a check and balance on President Trump Donald John TrumpSteele Dossier sub-source was subject of FBI counterintelligence probe Pelosi slams Trump executive order on pre-existing conditions: It 'isn't worth the paper it's signed on' Trump 'no longer angry' at Romney because of Supreme Court stance MORE, winning the House and Senate and these governors."

Democrats, who need to gain seats to retake control of the House, have expressed optimism about their chances in November. The party won a special election in Alabama late last year, and a special House election in Pennsylvania earlier this year.

While President Trump has touted Republican victories in several other special House races, Democrats have over-performed in most cases relative to the 2016 election.

McAuliffe on Sunday emphasized the need for Democrats to win gubernatorial elections in particular to promote their agenda at the state level.

McAuliffe, a former Democratic National Committee chairman who left the governor's mansion in Virginia earlier this year after one term, has not ruled out running for president.

Avenatti announced his consideration of a presidential bid during an appearance in Iowa over the weekend. He rose to prominence as the attorney for adult-film star Stormy Daniels, who is suing Trump for defamation and to void a non-disclosure agreement over an alleged affair.