10 of the most inspirational political events of 2018

4. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez won her primary

In many ways, 2016 upended how we think about American politics. Sure, politicians in the United States liked to lay claim to the “maverick” label or talk about how they were outsiders or fresh, new faces — but would a real outsider, like the ill-informed and bloviating Donald Trump, really win national office? Many people scoffed at the idea, but then Trump won the Republican party nomination and, eventually, made it to the Oval Office.

You could argue that, really, it was politics as normal, only without the niceties of fake smiles and competent political aides to smooth things over. But, even if it was only the yanking away of a veil, it was shocking for many people. It certainly caused citizens, journalists, commentators, and politicians alike to question the future of U.S. elections and our party system.

Democrats, in particular, came under scrutiny for what many claimed were outdated, out of touch methods. Should an established, old-school candidate like Hillary Clinton really have been selected to face off against someone like Trump? Should party leaders hold strong to their methods and court middle-of-the-road voters with moderate politics? Or, was it time for a fresh change?

Those Democratic leaders still can’t seem to make up their minds, but voters may be pointing the way to a new direction. That’s why the primary victory of a young candidate and avowed socialist named Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez was so interesting. She was facing off against an incumbent Democrat, Rep. Joe Crowley, in New York’s 14th congressional district. Many expected the tried and true Crowley to win his election. Ocasio-Cortez handily took the seat, in what has since been described as the “biggest upset” of the 2018 election season.

When she takes office on Jan. 29, Ocasio-Cortez will also be the youngest-ever woman serving in Congress.