Yes or no, Joe?

Former U.S. Rep. Joe Sestak said Monday he has not made up his mind on whether to run for Congress again in the newly redrawn 7th district, which covers part of eastern Lancaster County.

"You know, my wife gave me a year. She said, 'Joe, spend time with your daughter, and go out and say thank you to everyone, and then figure out how you want to serve again,' " Sestak, 60, said during an appearance at Franklin & Marshall College.

"I do want to do service, but I've got to figure out how best to do it, and so that year from my wife isn't over yet," he said. "I'll figure it out."

The retired Navy admiral, a Democrat, would not rule out a run this year against Republican U.S. Rep. Pat Meehan, who was elected to the seat in 2010 after Sestak's retirement.

But he doesn't have much time to figure it out: The three-week period during which candidates who want to appear on the April primary ballot must circulate nomination petitions begins Tuesday.

"Do I think electoral office is a way to serve? Yes. If so, what level? But if not, how about education? Here I am at F&M, and I'm leaving here to go over to the technical school and speak with them. Or something else with small business?

"There's a lot of ways to serve," Sestak said. "I've just got to figure out the best way. Did the Navy. Did Congress. Do I re-enter one of those? Well, not the Navy — I'm too old — or do I do it a different way? That's what I'm trying to come to grips with."

Sestak served two two-year terms in the House before retiring in 2010 after making a run for U.S. Senate. He defeated Democratic U.S. Sen. Arlen Specter in the primary but lost to Republican Pat Toomey in the fall election.

Since then he's been traveling the state, meeting with his supporters and speaking to students and educators about the value of public service, and preparing young people for the work force.

G. Terry Madonna, who heads F&M's Center for Politics and Public Affairs, said Sestak could be maintaining his visibility for a potential run for statewide office.

"It's obvious he wants to continue to play a role in government," Madonna said. "I don't know that he has a particular goal in mind. It's about keeping a presence."

Madonna said he does not believe Sestak will run again for the House.

"I don't know why he would consider going back to the House," Madonna said. "You'd want to step up to higher office, a statewide office."

Sestak spoke briefly then answered questions from students for more than an hour; at one point, when its was time to head to the next class, he implored, "Can I tell one last story?"

The 20 students gathering inside the Ware College House great room stayed to listen.

Sestak implored students to take ownership in their country and demand a more transparent, accountable government.

"The less transparent anything is, the less healthy it is," he said.

Sestak described Congress as imbued with deep partisanship and members who are too worried about losing their jobs. He said it would take outsiders to bring about reform.

"It'll take a different type of leadership — and I hope you all do it," Sestak said. "People are yearning for it."

The event was sponsored by the F&M College Democrats and Government Club.

Sestak also spoke Monday to the Chamber of Commerce & Industry here, and to students and faculty at YTI Career Institute's Lancaster Campus, in East Hempfield Township. There he stressed the value of technical training and preparing young people for the work force.

Democrats are said to be waiting for Sestak's answer on running for Congress this year.

"Everybody's on hold until Joe makes up his mind," Delaware County Democratic Committee Chairman David Landrau was quoted as telling the website PoliticsPA. "People are begging him to run, but Joe makes up his own mind."

Candidates who intend to seek office begin circulating nomination petitions Tuesday. The petitions are due in Harrisburg on Feb. 14. Congressional candidates must gather at least 1,000 signatures to get on the primary ballot.

The 7th Congressional District includes parts of Berks, Chester, Delaware, Lancaster and Montgomery counties.

In Lancaster County, the redrawn 7th Congressional district now includes Christiana Borough and Bart, Colerain, Leacock, Paradise, Sadsbury and Salisbury townships — roughly 30,000 voters that had been represented by Republican U.S. Rep. Joe Pitts.

tmurse@lnpnews.com