CA-33: Watson Will Retire

CQ:

Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) is retiring at the end of this Congress, a Democratic source confirmed to CQ-Roll Call on Wednesday.

Watson, 76, is the second member of Congress to announce his/her retirement today. Rep. Vern Ehlers (R-Mich.) confirmed this morning that he would not seek a ninth term. […]

Speculation about possible successors has centered on former state Assembly Speaker Karen Bass, who would be a favorite to win a Democratic primary should she run. Republicans are not expected to compete for the seat.

In case anyone was worried about retaining this seat, CA-33 is tenth most Democratic district in the nation; it has a Cook PVI of D+35 and was won by Barack Obama by an 87-12 margin. Former state Assembly speaker Karen Bass sounds likely to get into the race, and would loom large over the Democratic field.

A special credit is due here to SSP diarist CarnahanDem, who broke this story on Friday, days before we got any follow-up from tradmed sources.

RaceTracker Wiki: CA-33