Polling Average
25%20%15%10%5%0%
10%
18.6%
15.4%
8.2%
7%
Democrat
Carol Obando-Derstine
Democratic candidate for U.S. House in Pennsylvania
Democrat
PA-07 Democratic nominee?
$64.0K
MAY 26, 2026Primary Election
Party selects its nominee.
Live Odds — PA-07 Democratic nominee?
Current prediction-market probability for the candidate, updated as market prices change.
0.1%chance to win
$64.0KMAY 26, 2026Candidate Overview
Key details about the candidate’s background, party, office sought and current campaign.
Current roleEngineer
PartyDemocratic
Political ideologyProgressive Democrat
GenderFemale
LocationPennsylvania
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BackgroundEngineer
EducationMA, Energy Systems Engineering, Lehigh University
Notable personal detailsCarol Obando-Derstine is a Democratic candidate for the U.S. House in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. She has worked as an engineer, including at PPL Electric Utilities, and has led nonprofits including the Children’s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley. She has also worked for U.S. Sen. Bob Casey as a regional manager and statewide Latino affairs advisor and served on Pennsylvania Gov. Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs. She and her husband, Chad, have two children.
SourcesShowHide
fec.govcarolforpa.comwomencount.orgbsky.appdeveloper.ballotpedia.orgdocquery.fec.govusvotefoundation.orglehighcounty.orgwebforms.fec.govapi.open.fec.govrepmyblock.orgdata.ballotpedia.orgefoservices.fec.govmonroecountypa.govballotclarity.orgfec.state.fl.usapi.fecfile.fec.govvote.phila.govcms5.revize.comreddit.comen.wikipedia.orgtsbrandelevation.comemilyslist.orginquirer.comelectdemocraticwomen.org314action.orgaldianews.comwdiy.orglatinovictory.orgjstreetpac.orgourmidland.comlehighdaily.comnrcc.orgboldpac.compafamily.orgjamanetwork.commcall.comballotpedia.orglocalcandidates.orgfacebook.comcbsnews.comcityandstatepa.comnbcnews.compenncapital-star.comms.nowwhyy.orgarmchairlehighvalley.substack.comlehighvalleypublicmedia.orgjewishinsider.comnews.ballotpedia.orginstagram.comballotready.orgdisclosures-clerk.house.govhistory.house.govclerk.house.govhouse.govcongress.govjayapal.house.govgovinfo.gov
Political Positions
LiberalConservative
Economy & Taxes
The candidate supports policies to lower costs for working families, expand access to affordable healthcare, and oppose large tax cuts for the wealthy while promoting investment in jobs, small businesses, and a just clean-energy transition. Her platform emphasizes protecting programs that aid low- and middle-income households and standing up to policies that would shift benefits toward billionaires. She also supports innovation and federal action to create jobs and retraining tied to energy and technology initiatives.
Healthcare
Supports treating health care as a right, protecting Medicaid and Medicare, strengthening the Affordable Care Act, and ensuring reproductive health care rights. Emphasizes fighting policies that would reduce coverage or access and lowering health-related costs for families.
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Immigration & Border
Supports securing the border while overhauling the immigration system with humane reforms, including a pathway to citizenship (Dignity Act), expanding immigration court capacity, fully reopening DACA applications and protecting Dreamers, and opposing administration policies that target immigrant communities.
Abortion & Reproductive Rights
The candidate supports protecting the right to choose and protecting access to reproductive health care; she pledges to fight policies that restrict reproductive care and to defend women’s health and related rights. Her campaign and endorsements identify her as a pro-choice candidate who will advocate for reproductive freedom.
Climate & Energy
Supports expansion of clean energy, grid interconnection for renewables, and climate mitigation through science-based energy solutions and decarbonization while emphasizing affordability and job creation. Background and professional experience in energy systems engineering and work at PPL Electric Utilities informing policy focus on clean-energy integration and lowering utility costs. No evidence found of advocacy for Green New Deal–style wholesale fossil-fuel phase-out or explicit endorsement of carbon-pricing legislation in the cited sources.
Public Safety & Guns
The candidate supports "common-sense gun safety legislation" and emphasizes youth mental health funding and violence-prevention education as part of her approach to public safety. Her platform links modest gun-safety measures with broader violence-prevention and mental-health initiatives.
Latest News
AINews Summary
Last updatedJul 15, 2026
Carol Obando-Derstine is in the news as one of four Democrats competing for the nomination to challenge Republican incumbent Ryan Mackenzie in Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District. The race is being shaped by affordability concerns, especially higher housing, food, and electricity costs, which are becoming central campaign issues in the district. The seat is seen as a major swing district, so the primary winner is expected to get significant attention and support.
fec.gov+58
Articles
TPThe Philadelphia Inquirer3 months ago
‘We’ve never been this bad.’ Eastern Pennsylvania weighs its rising costs
Neutral
MPMechanicsburg Patriot News 3 months ago
Who can beat Trump-loving Pa. Congressman? 4 Dems make their case in 7th District.
Neutral
BBloomberg4 months ago
High Electric Bills Fuel Voter Anger Ahead of Midterm Elections
Neutral
REReading Eagle4 months ago
Josh Shapiro tests political influence in Pennsylvania 2026 midterm elections
Neutral
Latest Polls
PA-07 Democratic nominee?
Recent polling results and the candidate's current average in the race.
Carol Obando-Derstine currently averages 10.0%, ranking third in this race, 5.4 points behind the next candidate.
Polling average: 10.0%Position: thirdMargin: -5.4 ptsLatest poll: 8.0% (May 17 - 17)Polls included: 5
Average recalculated from polls through May 17 - 17.
Aggregation source: FiftyPlusOne
Endorsements
11PA-07 Democratic nominee?
Campaign Fundraising
Latest report: Cycle 2026Campaign finance totals from the latest available reporting period.
Total raisedCash on hand
$593.3K
$445.0K
$296.6K
$148.3K
$0
2026
LatestYear
Total raised
Cash on hand
Total spent
Burn rate
Cycle 2026
$593.3K
$2.2K
$591.1K
$32.8K
Source: FEC