Truth matters. Community matters. Your support makes both possible. LAist is one of the few places where news remains independent and free from political and corporate influence. Stand up for truth and for LAist. Make your tax-deductible donation now.
This archival content was originally written for and published on KPCC.org. Keep in mind that links and images may no longer work — and references may be outdated.
Diane Watson bids adieu to Capitol Hill
Most of the 111th Congress left town before Christmas. But one member from Los Angeles returned to Capitol Hill and wished her successor good luck.
After 10 years, Diane Watson says she’s not sad to leave Congress, particularly because her hand-picked successor Karen Bass easily won her election.
"It would be nice to continue the challenge," she says, "but what is nicer is to put someone in my seat that I know will take care of business for the people. I’ve seen her do it."
Hand-picking members for that seat is nothing new: Democratic leaders asked Watson to run for the seat a decade ago when she was serving as Ambassador to Micronesia.
Watson, who’s 77 years-old now, says she’d like another diplomatic posting or a seat on the University of California Board of Regents.