🗣️ Civic Voices: PA Candidate Conversations A Sit Down with Mark Pinsley

| By: Tiffany Sondegaard, Voting Advocate and Publisher for Civic Voices

Honest conversations with the people shaping Pennsylvania’s future

Hi friends!  I’m Tiffany Sondergaard. Welcome to Civic Voices: PA Candidate Conversations. This series is all about pulling back the curtain on Pennsylvania’s elections and giving you a front-row seat to the people who want to represent you.

Recently, I sat down with Mark Pinsley, Lehigh County Controller and candidate for Congress in Pennsylvania’s 7th District. Mark shared his journey from growing up in a working-class family to his current role serving as a local Commissioner and Controller, overseeing millions in taxpayer dollars, and why he’s now running for Congress.

"'I'm going to fight against the powerful, for the people. I want to help reduce prices and make everything more affordable than it is today. That's what I want to take to Congress." Mark Pinsley

Early Life and Private Sector Career to Public Servant

Mark grew up in a working-class household in Montgomeryville, Pa. After his parents divorced, he learned early on how to stretch a dollar, working jobs like building furniture and selling pet supplies. That experience stuck with him. He put himself through college with help from the GI Bill and eventually built a career in the private sector.

He’s worn a lot of hats:

• Website startup consultant

• Entrepreneur, including a med spa

• Large corporation exec in aviation and nutrition supply industries

These roles gave him a front-row view of what small businesses face and shaped his respect for small businesses and his belief in supporting working families.

From Local Office to County Controller

In 2017, Mark made history as the first Democrat elected to the South Whitehall Township Board of Commissioners in over two decades. He was then reelected to Lehigh County Controller in 2024.

What does a Controller do? Think watchdog. Mark’s job is to make sure taxpayer dollars are spent wisely preventing fraud, waste, and abuse. One of his proudest moments? An audit of the county’s healthcare program that saved $3 million without cutting services.

Why He’s Running for Congress

Mark didn’t mince words.

“The country is in chaos. I will fight for the people, not the powerful.”

He’s running because he believes Washington needs more accountability and fewer corporate interests. He’s taken on big companies as Controller, and he’s ready to do the same on Capitol Hill.

📌 His Top Priorities for PA-07

Mark’s platform focuses on three key areas:

Priority	What It Means
🏥 Medicare for All	Expanding healthcare access and lowering costs for families and small businesses
🥕 Food Affordability	Bringing down food costs and using antitrust laws to stop price gouging and support local farmers
🧑‍💼 Small Business Support	Cut red tape reduce paperwork, lower taxes, and help entrepreneurs compete with larger companies

Representing Minority and Rural Voices

Mark’s big on accessibility. He says too many elected officials are hard to reach and he wants to change that. His promise? Invite constituents to testify before Congress, virtually or in person, so their voices are heard directly.

“If you’re a small business, healthcare can make or break you. We need to take that burden off employers so they can grow and hire without worrying about coverage costs,” Pinsley stated when answering a question on small business challenges.

Watchdog Mentality

Mark’s known for digging deep. As Controller, he’s uncovered millions in savings, from healthcare audits to unused phone lines. He plans to bring that same oversight to Washington, especially in areas like military contracts and federal healthcare spending.

⚡ Rapid Fire Questions

• First job: Pet shop clerk

• Favorite brunch spot: Chris’s Diner on Tilghman Street

• Medicare expansion: “100% yes.”

• Small business taxes: "Lower them."

While you’re here, check out our recent blog post with Carol Obando-Derstine, also running for Congress in PA-07. 

And stay tuned, next up on Civic Voices: PA Candidate Conversations, I’ll be talking with Daniel Campo, who is running for Northampton County Council on the Republican ballot.

Remember…your voice and your vote matter. --ts