Carol Obando-Derstine, one of five Democratic candidates for Congress in the Lehigh Valley, received endorsements from a slate of Latina politicians Thursday.
Obando-Derstine is a former engineer and regional affairs director for PPL who announced her run for Congress in May with the backing of former Rep. Susan Wild.
U.S. Reps. Nanette Barragan, D-California; Linda Sanchez, D-California; Andrea Salinas, D-Oregon; and Veronica Escobar, D-Texas endorsed Obando-Derstine’s campaign in a news release. Pennsylvania state Rep. Johanny Cepeda-Freytiz, who is chair of the state House Latino Caucus, and Philadelphia City Council member Quetcy Lozado also endorsed Obando-Derstine.
“Carol Obando-Derstine represents the best of our Latina leadership: hardworking, compassionate, and deeply rooted in her community,” Escobar said in a written statement. “She’s spent her career breaking barriers in the energy field and standing up for hardworking families who too often feel unheard. I’m proud to endorse Carol because she’ll bring that same relentless drive to Congress to fight for Pennsylvania families and ensure every community has a voice at the table.”
Before working for nine years at PPL, Obando-Derstine was a regional manager for then-Democratic U.S. Sen. Bob Casey, and has also been an executive director at local nonprofits including SkillsUSA Council and Children’s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley.
She is the only woman and Latina running for Congress in the Lehigh Valley. The district’s population is around 20% Latino.
Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District is considered one of the most competitive in the country and key to determining which party controls the House of Representatives. Rep. Ryan Mackenzie, who was elected in 2024, is running unopposed in the Republican primary for a second term. Democratic challengers include Obando-Derstine, Northampton County Executive Lamont G. McClure, former federal prosecutor Ryan Crosswell, former Bethlehem firefighter Bob Brooks and Lehigh County Controller Mark Pinsley.