A native of New York City, Carole Migden, 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 1999, Migden, an open lesbian, received the National Center for Lesbian Rights' "Lesbian Leadership Award". In the same year she also received "Legislator of the Year" honors from the California School Employees Association. In 2000, she was recognized with the "Affordable Housing Leadership Award". 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.
Migden is a member of the Jewish faith. After moving to San Francisco, she became very active in community service. In February 2004, she married Cristina Arguedas, a criminal defense attorney and her partner since 1985, in a ceremony at San Francisco City Hall officiated by San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom. That marriage was later annulled by the California Supreme Court.
On May 23, 2007, Migden announced that she was diagnosed with leukemia in 1997 (about a year into her first assembly term). She was only expected to live 3 - 5 years after her diagnosis. Migden underwent rigorous and difficult chemotherapies for several years before finally becoming a participant in clinical trial which ultimately got FDA approval for Gleevec which has proven to be a watershed cancer drug. She has been in complete remission for several years.
Seeking a second term in the state senate, Migden failed to win renomination in the 2008 primary election held on 2008-06-03. She finished second in a three-way race.
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