* Announcement expected in coming weeks

* Seeking to tone down partisan atmosphere

By Caren Bohan

WASHINGTON, May 13 (Reuters) - U.S. President Barack Obama sought advice from congressional leaders on Wednesday as he pondered a broad group of candidates for a Supreme Court opening ranging from judges to a member of his Cabinet.

Under consideration are several women, including Solicitor General Elena Kagan, who argues for the government before the Supreme Court and two U.S. appeals court judges, Sonia Sotomayor and Diane Wood, according to a source familiar with Obama's thinking.

Also in the mix are Michigan Democratic Governor Jennifer Granholm and Homeland Security Secretary Janet Napolitano. Many analysts believe Obama will be inclined to add a second woman to the nine-member court.

The source said California Supreme Court Justice Carlos Moreno was being considered as well.

Appointed for life, Supreme Court justices decide such divisive issues as abortion rights and the death penalty. The court even decided the 2000 presidential election.

The nominee will succeed David Souter, who is retiring from the high court. The court has a 5-4 conservative majority and the new justice is unlikely to change that ideological makeup.