Penn alum, 23, optimistic to the end, loses bid for Pa. house

Daniel Sansoni, a 1997 Penn alumnus running for the state legislature, got a pat on the back from Charles Lochel as Lochel left the Knights of Columbus Hall in Northeast Philadelphia. "Somebody's got to lose," said Lochel, a lifelong Northeast Philadelphia resident, offering his sympathy. "Yeah, there are about 7,000 of us [around the country tonight]," Sansoni said, grinning at Lochel. Minutes before, at about 9 p.m., Sansoni -- a Republican candidate for the 173rd District of the Pennsylvania House of Representatives -- conceded defeat to Democrat Michael McGeehan, a four-term incumbent in the district. With all precincts reporting, McGeehan received 76 percent of the votes to Sansoni's 24 percent. Surrounded by his mother, brother, sister and niece, Daniel Sansoni ate dinner, relaxed and received consolatory handshakes and hugs from his nearly 30 friends, family members and local supporters. "When I first ran, I made a commitment to do my best. I think I kept my promise," Sansoni told the enthusiastic crowd in his concession speech. For the past several months, Sansoni fought for name recognition, struggled to meet enough of the district's residents and tried to convince voters that his tender age of 23 was more of an asset than a liability. "Not many people put their faith in me," said Sansoni, who took a year off from Temple Law School to devote his energy to campaigning. Despite all of these problems, Sansoni garnered many local supporters who considered him the best representative for their overwhelmingly Democratic district. "This city is primarily Democratic. We've never won," said John Brandau, a 65-year-old Northeast Philadelphia resident, shaking his head. "We do need a gentleman like Dan Sansoni. We need some young blood. It's invigorating," Brandau said. Sansoni focused his campaign primarily on Section Eight, a federal regulation that provides low-rent housing to city neighborhoods. He proposed legislation that would give residents the choice of whether they want the program in their neighborhoods. "If you're a homeowner and you live in a certain area, you're obviously going to be opposed to it," Lochel said. As the night wore on and people left the building, the young politician was comforted by his No. 1 supporter -- his mother, Linda Sansoni. "He's going to be president of the United States someday," Linda said, smiling proudly at her son.