Second Republican announces plans to challenge Ocasio-Cortez in New York

Republican John Cummings on Friday announced plans to challenge Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-CortezAlexandria Ocasio-CortezAttorney says 75-year-old man shoved by Buffalo police suffered brain injury How language is bringing down Donald Trump Highest-circulation Kentucky newspaper endorses Charles Booker in Senate race MORE (D-N.Y.) for her seat next year. 

Cummings said in an interview with the New York Post that he was inspired to launch his own congressional bid by Ocasio-Cortez’s long shot run last year.

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“But to just come from the outside and take somebody on is really difficult,” Cummings, a 59-year-old civics teacher and former police officer, told the Post. 

“It was pointed out to me by my students that Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez pretty much made my excuse — and I’ll use their quotes — ‘a lame one,’ ” he added of the former bartender. 

Cummings said he plans to file his paperwork Friday, though the Federal Elections Commission website did not yet show any campaign documents. 

The Bronx Republican Party expressed confidence in Cummings’s campaign, saying he would present an alternative to the democratic socialist incumbent.

“He will be able to connect with the real New Yorkers in the Bronx and Queens who AOC takes for granted,” said Bronx County Republican Chairman Mike Rendino. 

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Cummings said he’s a “small-government guy” who will promote choice on issues including education, a free-market economy and infrastructure improvements. 

“I’m not personally invested in this to go after [Ocasio-Cortez],” he said adding, “That’s not my thing. I just think that people need common-sense representation.” 

Cummings is the second Republican to announce a challenge to Ocasio-Cortez, joining Ruth Papazian.

Regardless of who eventually wins the GOP’s congressional nomination, Ocasio-Cortez will enter the race with a huge advantage in a district that Hillary ClintonHillary Diane Rodham ClintonWhite House accuses Biden of pushing ‘conspiracy theories’ with Trump election claim Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness Trayvon Martin’s mother Sybrina Fulton qualifies to run for county commissioner in Florida MORE carried over President TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE by nearly 58 points in 2016.

The freshman Democrat amassed a gargantuan social media following and has emerged as one of the most vocal spokeswoman for a litany of progressive causes, including immigration reform, universal health care and the Green New Deal.