Kris Valderrama

Kriselda "Kris" Valderrama-Lobo is a Democratic member of the Maryland House of Delegates representing District 26 in Prince George's County.

Kris Valderrama was born on November 17, 1970, in Washington, D.C., to David Mercado Valderrama, a judge in Prince George's County and former Maryland State Delegate. She is of Filipino ancestry and is a lifelong resident of the 26th Legislative District, currently residing in Fort Washington, Maryland, with her husband and two daughters. She is a member of St. Columba Church.

Education

Valderrama completed her high school education at Oxon Hill Senior High School in Oxon Hill, Maryland. She earned a Bachelor of Science degree in respiratory therapy from Salisbury University in 1996.

Political Experience

Valderrama was first elected to the Maryland House of Delegates in 2006 and was sworn into office on January 10, 2007. Her career before entering elected office included work as a Certified Respiratory Therapist at Inova Fairfax Hospital from 1996 to 1999, and involvement in media and communications as an anchor and co-host for Valderrama's America beginning in 1997. She also worked with the American Federation of State, County & Municipal Employees in various roles, including as a Strategic Communications Specialist.

In the House of Delegates, Valderrama has held several significant leadership positions. She served as Deputy Speaker Pro Tem in 2018 and has been the Deputy Majority Leader since 2022. Currently, she chairs the Economic Matters Committee and serves as House Chair of the Joint Committee on Workers' Compensation Benefit and Insurance Oversight. She also chairs the Bi-County Subcommittee of the Prince George's House Delegation and the Alcohol Beverages Subcommittee of the Economic Matters Committee.

Valderrama is an active member of several legislative caucuses and community organizations, including the Maryland Legislative Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, Women Legislators of Maryland, and the Maryland Legislative Transit Caucus. She has served on the Governor's Family Violence Council since 2008.