Rep. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles), the iconic black politician of L.A.'s
33rd Congressional District, plans to announce her retirement from
Congress on Thursday, sources say. She is 76.
According to the Los Angeles County Democratic Chairman Eric Bauman,
Watson notified her staff and colleagues of her decision not to seek a
sixth term during this year's midterm elections. She wants to spend more
time with her family, especially her 100 year-old mother.

               A prominent figure in local, state and
federal government for more than three decades, Watson became the first
black woman elected to the Los Angeles school board. In 1978, she was
elected to the state Senate, serving until term limits forced her to give
up her seat in 1998.
               In 1992, Watson ran unsuccessfully for a
seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors. She served as the
Ambassador to Micronesia, appointed by President in 1999, and was elected
to Congress in 2001, filling the vacancy created by the death of
Democratic Rep. Julian Dixon.
Less than an hour after the news hit, speculation began to swirl over
state Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) filling Watson's
seat. Bass is facing term limits. An unnamed source said Bass would
consider running if Watson retires, but the speaker  would not comment,
until a formal announcement by Watson is made. There was no immediate
comment from Watson's office.
The 33rd District extends from Culver City to USC and north through
Mid-Wilshire into Hollywood.