With the Thursday announcement by veteran California Senator Barbara Boxer that she won't seek reelection in 2016, the state suddenly became an interesting one to observe among political pundits.

Her retirement, after all, opens a race among Democratic hopefuls who have been waiting in the wings for a vacancy in the past two decades, reports MSNBC.

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The 74-year-old senator said her decision was not based on her age, but because she wants to leave Washington DC and return to California to continue her work on advocacies close to her heart such as the environment and women's rights.

She was elected to the House in 1982 and the Senate in 1992 in an election that witnessed four women win seats in the Upper Chamber.

House Democratic leader Nancy Pelosi described Boxer, who stands at 4' 11," a "giant in terms of her contribution to her country," quotes Yakima Herald.

The forthcoming vacancy would result in two Democrats advancing to the general election, which a member of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee foresee as likely becoming dirty.

The leading contenders are Attorney General Kamala Harris and Lieutenant Gov. Gavin Newsom. With the two having Ace Smith as their political contestant, a third candidate would be needed as they have given assurance in the past that they will not be pitted against each other.

While Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa has been mentioned as a likely candidate, other party strategists believe that the mayor and the lieutenant governor are eyeing the governorship as the incumbent has to vacate the post by 2018 due to term limits.

That makes Harris well-positioned to replace Boxer. She could stand out from other Democratic candidates by running as "a woman of color."

Other names being bruited about include, Rep. Xavier Becerra, Secretary of State Alex Padilla, new Treasurer John Chiang and incoming Controller Betty Yee.

Tagsbarbara boxer, california, Democrats