Kriselda Valderrama-Lobo is an American politician who represents

District 26 A district is a type of administrative division that, in some countries, is managed by the local government. Across the world, areas known as "districts" vary greatly in size, spanning regions or counties, several municipalities, subdivisions o ...

in the Maryland House of Delegates.

Early life and career

Kriselda Valderrama was born in Washington, D.C. to David Mercado Valderrama, a judge in

Prince George's County, Maryland ) , demonym = Prince Georgian , ZIP codes = 20607–20774 , area codes = 240, 301 , founded date = April 23 , founded year = 1696 , named for = Prince George of Denmark , leader_title = Executive , leader_name = Angela D. Alsobroo ...

and Maryland State Delegate representing

. She is of Filipino ancestry. She graduated from Oxon Hill Senior High School, and earned a Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory therapy from

Salisbury University Salisbury University is a public university in Salisbury, Maryland. Founded in 1925, Salisbury is a member of the University System of Maryland, with a fall 2016 enrollment of 8,748. Salisbury University offers 42 distinct undergraduate and 14 ...

In the legislature

Valderrama was sworn into the Maryland House of Delegates on January 10, 2007. Since 2022, she has served as the Deputy Majority Leader of the Maryland House of Delegates.

Committee assignments

* Member, Economic Matters Committee, 2015–present (banking, economic development, science & technology subcommittee, 2015–2018; unemployment insurance subcommittee, 2015–2018; chair, workers' compensation subcommittee, 2021, member, 2015–present; member, business regulation subcommittee, 2019; chair, alcoholic beverages subcommittee, 2022–present, member, 2020–present) * House Chair, Joint Committee on Workers' Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight, 2015–present * Member, Rules and Executive Nominations Committee, 2021–present * Member, Judiciary Committee, 2007-15 (juvenile law subcommittee, 2007–2015) * Deputy Majority Whip, 2011–2018 * Member, Legislative Policy Committee, 2019

Other memberships

* Chair, Bi-County Committee,

Prince George's County Delegation The Prince George's County Delegation refers to the delegates who are elected from districts in Prince George's County, Maryland to serve in the Maryland House of Delegates. Authority and responsibilities The Delegation is responsible for repres ...

, 2017–present (law enforcement & state-appointed boards committee, 2014, vice-chair, 2008–2010, chair, 2011–2014; member, bi-county committee, 2015–present) * Member, Women Legislators of Maryland, 2007 * Maryland Legislative Asian-American and Pacific-Islander Caucus, 2015–present (1st vice-chair, 2016–2019; chair, 2019–2021) * Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus, 2019–present

Political positions

Paid family leave

Valderrama introduced legislation during the 2020 legislative session to provide all Maryland workers with up to 12 weeks of paid family leave. The bill was reintroduced in 2022, during which it passed and became law after the General Assembly voted to override Governor

Larry Hogan Lawrence Joseph Hogan Jr. (born May 25, 1956) is an American politician and businessman serving as the 62nd governor of Maryland since 2015. A moderate member of the Republican Party, he was secretary of appointments under Maryland governor Bo ...

's veto.

National politics

Valderrama endorsed Hillary Clinton for president on April 9, 2016.

Social issues

Valderrama was a co-sponsor of the

Civil Marriage Protection Act Same-sex marriage in Maryland has been legally recognized since January 1, 2013. In 2012, the state's Democratic representatives, led by Governor Martin O'Malley, began a campaign for its legalization. After much debate, a law permitting same-s ...

, a bill to legalize same-sex marriage in Maryland. The bill passed the House of Delegates by a vote of 72-67 and was signed into law by Governor

Martin O'Malley Martin Joseph O'Malley (born January 18, 1963) is an American lawyer and former politician who served as the 61st Governor of Maryland from 2007 to 2015. A member of the Democratic Party, he was Mayor of Baltimore from 1999 to 2007. O'Malley ...

on March 2, 2012. Valderrama introduced legislation in the 2016 legislative session to prohibit employers from excluding women from desirable positions and for employers to retaliate against employees for sharing salary information with co-workers. Valderrama introduced legislation in the 2018 legislative session to block employers from imposing

non-disclosure agreement A non-disclosure agreement (NDA) is a legal contract or part of a contract between at least two parties that outlines confidential material, knowledge, or information that the parties wish to share with one another for certain purposes, but wish ...

s on workers reporting sexual harassment and require employers with more than 50 workers to disclose information about their records in maintaining harassment-free workplaces. The bill passed and was signed into law on May 16, 2018.

Electoral history

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Valderrama, Kris Democratic Party members of the Maryland House of Delegates Living people Women state legislators in Maryland American politicians of Filipino descent American women of Filipino descent in politics 21st-century American politicians 21st-century American women politicians Asian-American people in Maryland politics 1970 births