Although "the Squad," the group of far-left freshman congresswoman led by Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez, has garnered more of the headlines following the 2018 midterm elections, the reality is that Democrats were largely able to win back the House of Representatives thanks to a slate of candidates who positioned themselves as moderates in suburban House districts once held by Republicans.

Now, two years later, with the strong possibility of Bernie Sanders, a self-described socialist, at the top of the 2020 ballot, Republicans are feeling bullish about their chances of winning back many of these House seats and making inroads in other congressional races.

Targeting socialists

According to Fox News, a "record number" of GOP candidates have filed to run for House and Senate seats across the country. Fox News noted that unlike the 2018 midterms when the surge was driven by Democratic hopefuls, this year's boom is led by Republicans, according to financial activity reports obtained by the network.

The surge appears to be driven by growing concerns with socialism and the growing radicalism of the Democratic Party.

"These are radical women that will not bend. They do not want to work across the aisle. They only want their policies of the Green New Deal, Medicare for All, and socialism for America," said Marjorie Greene, a businesswoman and first-time congressional candidate who's running in Georgia's 14th Congressional District.

"I'm tired of seeing our future threatened. I'm tired of seeing my children's future extremely threatened, and it's time to get off the bench and really step up to the plate," she added.

'This is Bernie Sanders' and AOC's party now'

Politico reported that President Donald Trump and the White House are embracing the strategy as part of its efforts to retain control of the Senate and possibly flip control of the House.

"This is Bernie Sanders' and AOC's party now," Trump senior adviser Kellyanne Conway said. "Bernie is not just the socialist standard-bearer; he may well be the presidential nominee."

The news comes as a new poll taken in 95 swing congressional districts across the country shows President Trump leading Sanders in a general election matchup.

The survey, commissioned by the National Republican Congressional Committee, shows Trump with a 5-point lead (48-43) over the Vermont socialist in the "battleground districts." Fifty-four of them are currently held by Democrats.