Carole Migden

Carole Migden is a California politician. Elected to the California State Senate in 2004, she had previously been the Chairwoman of the California Board of Equalization (BOE), the nation's only publicly-elected tax commission.

The former assemblywoman and chairwoman of the California Board of Equalization, married in February 2004 her partner since 1985, criminal defense attorney Cristina Arguedas, in a ceremony at San Francisco City Hall. Migden is the highest-ranking self-identified gay or lesbian official in the nation and was the author of California's original domestic partner laws.

In 1999 Carole received the National Center for Lesbian Rights' "Lesbian Leadership Award". She was elected to the Board of Equalization, representing district one, in November 2002. Prior to her election, she served in the California State Assembly (1996–2002) and the San Francisco Board of Supervisors (1991–1996).

While in the legislature, Carole served as chair of the Assembly Committee on Appropriations and conferee on the state's Joint Budget Conference Committee. She also chaired the San Francisco Democratic Party for eight years and is a member of the Democratic National Committee.

In 2001, Carole was named "Legislator of the Year" by the California National Organization for Women; awarded the "Geraldine Johnson Award" for outstanding support of the labor community; and received "Cape Crusader Award" from California Alliance for Pride and Equality. In 2000, she was recognized with the "Affordable Housing Leadership Award".