Republicans awoke Wednesday buoyed by renewed optimism about the midterm elections after avowed socialist Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez upset Rep. Joe Crowley in a Democratic primary in New York.

In Ocasio-Cortez and her advocacy for socialized medicine, federally subsidized “free” college education and a job for every American guaranteed by the government, Republicans see a political tonic to the simmering backlash against President Trump that threatens to undercut GOP congressional majorities in November.

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