Rep. Watson is expected to retire

Rep. Diane Watson (D-Los Angeles), a prominent African American politician for more than three decades, plans to announce her retirement from Congress on Thursday, opening her seat for a possible run by termed-out state Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles).

Watson, 76, plans to hold a Los Angeles news conference to announce her plans. A House Democratic leadership aide, speaking on condition that he not be named, confirmed her retirement plans.

A congressional source said Watson was tiring of the cross-country trips and wanted to spend more time with her mother, who recently turned 100.

A Democrat is expected to win the district, which stretches from Culver City to USC and north through Mid-Wilshire into Hollywood.

Watson’s retirement would create another rare open California House seat in this year’s midterm elections. Rep. George Radanovich (R-Mariposa) also has announced his retirement.

Allan Hoffenblum, a longtime Republican strategist who publishes the nonpartisan California Target Book, which tracks legislative and congressional races, said he expected Bass to run for the seat with Watson’s support.

If elected, “she won’t be your average freshman,” he said Wednesday.

A source close to Bass said she would consider running if Watson retires. Bass declined to comment on her political future, opting to wait until Watson’s announcement.

In 1975, Watson became the first African American woman elected to the Los Angeles school board, serving during a period of racial tension over mandatory school busing. In 1978, she was elected to the state Senate, serving until she was forced to give up her seat in 1998 because of term limits.

In 1992, Watson ran unsuccessfully for a seat on the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors.

President Clinton appointed her ambassador to Micronesia in 1999.

In 2001, Watson won a special election in the 33rd Congressional District to fill the vacancy created by the death of Democratic Rep. Julian Dixon.

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richard.simon @latimes.com