A Coffee Chat with Carol Obando-Derstine, Candidate for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District

tiffanysondergaard
Sep 8
3 min read

As the race for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District takes shape, voters are getting to know the candidates and their priorities. Tiffany Sondergaard sat down with Carol Obando-Derstine at the popular Bethlehem SouthSide Arts District roastery, Lit, to learn more about her story, her professional journey, and the issues at the center of her campaign.

Q: Carol, can you tell us a little about your background?

A: I came to the United States from Colombia with my family when I was three years old. Like many immigrant families, we faced financial hardship, language barriers, and hard choices, but we found new opportunities and worked hard to build a life here. Those experiences shaped my understanding of what families need to succeed.

Professionally, I’ve spent over 15 years leading nonprofit organizations that provided Head Start programs, food assistance, after-school programs, and workforce readiness with SkillsUSA Council and the Children’s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley. Later, I worked as Regional Manager for U.S. Senator Bob Casey, covering Lehigh, Northampton, and Carbon counties, and also served as his Statewide Latino Affairs Advisor. Most recently, I spent nearly a decade at PPL Electric Utilities, where I helped families and businesses manage energy costs and supported renewable energy connections. Along the way, I earned a master’s from Penn State and a second master’s in energy systems engineering from Lehigh University.

Q: What motivated you to run for Congress?

A: I’ve seen firsthand how federal policy impacts people’s daily lives whether it’s access to healthcare, the cost of childcare, or energy bills. My career has been about helping communities and families find opportunities, and I believe Washington can do more to make life affordable and fair for working people. Running for Congress is my way of taking that experience to the next level, to advocate for practical solutions that meet families where they are.

Q: What are the key issues you plan to focus on if elected?

A: My platform is centered on five priorities:

· Affordability: Managing costs for essentials like food, housing, healthcare, childcare, and utilities.

· Healthcare: Protecting Medicaid and Medicare, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and ensuring reproductive healthcare rights.

· Economic Stability: Addressing policies, like tariffs, that raise household costs, while restoring funding to programs that support working families.

· Jobs and Workforce Pathways: Supporting career training in trades and technology, encouraging small business growth, and building local job pipelines.

· Energy and Infrastructure: Expanding renewable energy, improving grid reliability, and promoting cost-saving solutions for homes and businesses.

Q: How does your background prepare you for this role?

A: I’ve been fortunate to serve in multiple sectors, nonprofit, government, and private industry. In each role, I’ve worked directly with people to solve problems, and my engineering background also gives me a practical understanding of infrastructure and energy challenges, which are critical issues for our district. That combination of community work, policy experience, and technical knowledge is what I plan to bring to Congress.

Q: What would you like voters in PA-07 to know about you as a candidate?

A: I’m not coming into this race with slogans. I’m running because I understand the daily realities families face and believe we need leaders who will focus on solutions, not partisanship. I want voters to know that I’ll listen, I’ll work across differences, and I’ll always put the needs of this community first.

Q: How can people learn more or get involved?

A: The best place to start is my campaign website, www.carolforpa.com. There you’ll find information about upcoming events, volunteer opportunities, and ways to support.