In the suburban heart of Pennsylvania’s Lehigh Valley, a new political contender has emerged with a story deeply rooted in hard work, resilience, and community commitment. Carol Obando-Derstine, an engineer, advocate, and educator, is running for Congress as a Democrat, seeking to represent a district that is as diverse as it is competitive: PA-07. Her candidacy is a narrative of immigrant perseverance and a clear-eyed call for economic and social change. She is the first Latina candidate to aspire to this democratic dignity.

Carol’s journey began far from the factories and manufacturing plants that now define much of her campaign’s focus. Born in Colombia, she immigrated to the United States with her family when she was just three years old, escaping the violence in Colombia. The transition was marked by financial hardship and language barriers, challenges that her family faced head-on with determination. Her parents, a factory machine operator and a hospital technician, instilled in her a relentless work ethic.

Living in modest conditions, she shared a bed with a cousin, a reality common to many immigrant families striving for the American Dream. Education was her path out of hardship, and Carol credits scholarships like the Pell Grant for allowing her to attend Rutgers University and later Penn State University, where she studied community psychology and social change.

Growing up, Carol balanced multiple jobs and volunteering commitments with her education, graduating near the top of her high school class. Her early experiences shaped her understanding of the challenges faced by working families, especially immigrants striving to build a better life.

Service and Leadership

Carol pursued higher education with the same drive, earning a master’s degree from Penn State University. Her career path reflects a consistent focus on empowering others. She worked in a Head Start program, ran a food pantry and after-school program, and eventually took leadership roles as the executive director of two prominent nonprofits: SkillsUSA Council, which focuses on career and technical education for students, and the Children’s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley.

"I was the executive director of two organizations, but I always focused on helping people help themselves, and that’s what I have done my whole life. Although I have experience in the nonprofit sector, then in the public sector, and most recently in the private sector, my career has always been about helping people overcome challenges because I have seen many families and individuals who want to succeed. That’s what I want to help with," she said in an interview with AL DIA NEWS.

Her public service extended into politics as she served as the regional manager for Senator Bob Casey, covering Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon counties. She also contributed to Governor Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. She taught at Northampton Community College, focusing on non-traditional students, many of whom were women returning to the workforce.

Energy Expertise

During her tenure at PPL Electric Utilities, Carol Obando-Derstine pursued a master’s degree in Energy Systems Engineering from Lehigh University to deepen her expertise in the evolving energy sector. Starting as a public relations professional at PPL, she advanced to managing interconnection affairs within the Transmission and Substations Department, where she coordinates customer requests to connect to the transmission system and supports economic development in the region. Balancing full-time work and family life, Carol completed her coursework remotely during the pandemic, gaining valuable insight into energy digitalization, decarbonization, and decentralization. Her passion for clean energy and climate change mitigation reflects her commitment to sustainable stewardship of natural resources, viewing the transition to a cleaner energy future as a generational imperative (Peterson, P.C. Rossin College of Engineering and Applied Science).

Her knowledge of the sector leads her to be critical of the current policies of the Trump administration in this area. "There are many cuts to the progress we were making in renewable energy, and that is what worries me. We were moving forward, and now we are taking steps backward, just as is happening in the healthcare system and assistance to vulnerable people," she explained.

A Real Economic Change

Carol Obando-Derstine’s decision to run for Congress reflects a deep frustration with the current political landscape. She openly criticizes the policies of President Donald Trump and incumbent Republican Ryan McKenzie, accusing them of undermining healthcare, social security, and the economic well-being of working families. McKenzie is her direct rival for the House seat.

Her campaign platform centers on rebuilding the economy to work for the everyday people of PA-07, emphasizing affordable housing, access to services, and creating family-sustaining jobs. She advocates for supporting small businesses, expanding career and technical education, and incentivizing well-paying manufacturing jobs—areas that resonate deeply in a district shaped by industry and working-class values.

Moreover, Carol emphasizes the urgent need to support working families struggling with rising costs, criticizing budget cuts to essential programs like Medicaid and food assistance. She calls for a legal, humane, and efficient immigration system, highlighting her personal immigrant experience and commitment to policies that reflect dignity and fairness.

"I want to get to the House of Representatives and focus on improving the immigration system to make it legal, efficient, and humane again; that is very important: to be humane," explained.

She also highlights the importance of protecting reproductive rights and creating a resilient energy sector that offers both job opportunities and affordable bills for residents. For Carol, these issues are not just political talking points—they are personal commitments shaped by her life’s work and family experience.

A Divided Electorate

PA-07 is a battleground district with a history of close elections and shifting political allegiances. Carol’s campaign strategy focuses on bridging divides and engaging with a broad spectrum of voters. She emphasizes listening to constituents’ real concerns and bringing people together to address economic challenges collaboratively.

Her bilingualism and deep roots in the community give her an advantage in connecting with Latino voters and others who often feel overlooked in political discourse. Carol’s story is a reflection of the district’s diversity and the aspirations of many families seeking stability and opportunity.

Behind the public figure is a family woman who, along with her husband Chad, has raised two children in the Lehigh Valley for over two decades. Her personal narrative is interwoven with her political vision—an embodiment of the American Dream, she says she has been fortunate to achieve and is determined to protect for others.

Carol Obando-Derstine is not a career politician but a problem solver committed to public service. Her campaign is a testament to the belief that government should work for the many, not just the few. As PA-07 voters prepare to decide their next representative, Carol offers a blend of technical expertise, lived experience, and passionate advocacy that could reshape the district’s future.