(WHTM) – A former PPL executive announced she is running for Congress in the Lehigh Valley.

Carol Obando-Derstine (D) announced Thursday that she will run for Pennsylvania’s 7th Congressional District seat, which freshman Republican Congressman Ryan Mackenzie currently holds.

A Colombian immigrant, Obando-Derstine shared her growth from a volunteer candy striper in high school to earning two master’s degrees. She worked as the Executive Director of the non-profits Skills USA Council and the Children’s Coalition of the Lehigh Valley.

After earning a master’s degree in energy engineering, Obando-Derstine worked for PPL as its regional affairs director. She also served as Senator Bob Casey’s Regional Manager and as a member of Governor Tom Wolf’s Advisory Commission on Latino Affairs.

Obando-Derstine says she’s running “to fight for real economic change,” “to stand up to extremist Republicans,” and to “fight for the American dream.”

“I will never stop fighting against shameful policies that tear away at the American Dream, make us less free, and make life harder for every single American,” says Obando-Derstine’s campaign website.

Mackenzie, who previously served in the Pennsylvania House of Representatives, narrowly ousted incumbent Congresswoman Susan Wild in 2024 by 1%.

Obando-Derstine says she’s been endorsed by Wild for her old seat. Former Northampton County Executive Lamont McClure (D) has also launched a campaign to face Mackenzie in the 2026 general election.

The 7th district includes all of Carbon, Lehigh, and Northampton counties, and parts of Monroe County.