Rep.-elect Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.), implored more than 700 attendees of a Justice Democrats strategy call to run for office against incumbent Democrats as well as Republicans in their home districts.

During the video call with supporters Saturday evening, Ocasio-Cortez remarked that her own journey to the House began on the other end of a Justice Democrats strategy call while calling on supporters to mount similar bids in their own districts around the country.

"Long story short, I need you to run for office," she said on the call. "All I’m asking you to do is throw your hat in the ring, say 'what the heck.' ”

Ocasio-Cortez was elected Tuesday after running a successful primary against Rep. Joe Crowley, who was House Democratic Caucus Chairman.

The incoming freshman Democrat added that she and other members of the Justice Democrats, a group of progressive Democrats seeking to shift the Democratic Party left, would support challenges to incumbent Democrats they view as insufficiently aligned with the views of progressives in the party, particularly on the issue of corporate campaign donations.

Less than 50%

[link to thehill.com (secure)]