Patricia Bates
Patricia "Pat" Carmody Bates (born December 15, 1939) is an American Republican politician who served in the California State Senate, representing the 36th Senate district, which encompasses parts of Orange and San Diego counties. She left office on December 5, 2022. She served as the Senate's minority leader from 2017 to 2019. She previously served as a member of the Orange County Board of Supervisors from 2007 to 2014, and the California State Assembly from 1998 to 2004. She also served as the first mayor of Laguna Niguel, California following its incorporation in 1989, and continued to serve on the city council until 1998. Before serving as mayor, she had been employed as a social worker in Los Angeles County. Early life, education, and career as social worker Patricia Carmody Bates was born in Los Angeles. She grew up in Rosemead, California, in the San Gabriel Valley, before her family moved to Long Beach when she was 12 years old. She graduated from Wilson High School and then attended Occidental College, majoring in psychology and studying abroad at the University of Madrid in her junior year. She graduated in 1961. Bates began her professional career as a social worker for