Diane Watson to retire
Ariel Edwards Levy | 2-11-2010 |
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Democrat Diane Watson has represented the 33rd Congressional District since 2001. She announced her retirement on Thursday, reflecting on a 35-year career in public service.
Click here to hear an audio story by Ariel Edwards-Levy of Annenberg Radio News.
"It was a joy to be a public servant," Diane Watson told reporters and supporters on Thursday.
Watson first spent ten years as a state senator and served as President Clinton’s Ambassador to Micronesia. She was elected to the House of Representatives in 2001.
She says she is retiring to spend more time with her 100-year-old mother and to allow a new generation of politicians to take office. Some members of that new generation say they were inspired by Watson’s career, during which she often broke barriers as a black woman.
One former member of her staff, Holly Mitchell, is now running for State Assembly. She said she wouldn’t be here without Watson.
Watson’s 33rd district went democratic in 2008 by nearly 90 percent. Political strategists say it’s very unlikely to change hands in the 2010 election. But Watson said she expects a spirited primary, and wants to meet with candidates before she decides on an endorsement.
A leading possible candidate is State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass. While Watson did not specifically endorse her, she says she hopes to see Bass run for the seat, saying Bass knows the district well. Her district is all but certain to remained in the hands of a Democrat.
As her term ends, Watson says she will still be focusing on issues important to her district. And she says the door will not close on her political involvement.
Listen to Richie Duchon's story from Annenberg Radio News on how Diane Watson will be remembered:
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