State Assembly Speaker Karen Bass (D-Los Angeles) confirmed her plans to seek the seat of retiring Democratic Rep. Diane Watson at a Los Angeles news conference Wednesday.

She was backed by Watson, who said "I 100 percent--maybe 300 percent--endorse Karen Bass," according to the LA Times.

Watson announced her retirement last Wednesday after 35 years of public service and expressed her desire to spend more time with family and take care of her aging mother.

Watson believes Bass will be a good match for the traditionally Democratic district, which includes the diverse areas of Koreatown, Hancock Park, Hollywood, the Wilshire Corridor, Loz Feliz, Little Armenia, Culver City, Baldwin Hills, Silver Lake, Windsor Hills and Ladera Heights.

If elected she will have "very big shoes to fill," Bass said.

Her ability to listen to and serve the needs of her constituents was praised by Los Angeles County Supervisor Mark Ridley-Thomas, who called Bass "one of the finest leaders anywhere in California."

Bass was the first Black woman and the first Democratic woman in the U.S. to head a state legislative body, but she must step down this year due to term limits.

Five other candidates took formal steps to run for the election before Watson announced her endorsement, and it is unclear whether they intend to compete with Bass for the congressional seat.