U.S. Rep. Diane Watson, who represents much of the central city of Los Angeles in Congress, is retiring, according to a report published on The Hill's Briefing Room blog.

The publication reports that former state assembly Speaker Karen Bass has already expressed interest in taking over the Democrat's 33rd District congressional seat, which represents Koreatown, Hancock Park, the Wilshire corridor, the Miracle Mile district, Little Armenia, Hollywood, Los Feliz, Silver Lake, Baldwin Hills, Ladera Heights, Mid-Wilshire, View Park, and Windsor Hills.

Watson, the former U.S. ambassador to Micronesia, is 76 and has served in Congress for nine years.

Latinos make up the biggest ethnic group in what is described as a “solid middle class” district, and Latinos, African-Americans and Asian-Americans make up 75 percent of the area, according to Watson's site.

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