Rob Bonta Channels Adlai Stevenson

California State Assemblyman Bonta arrived to talk ferries with Bay Crossings behind the wheel of his own car. A very used car. Bonta’s car key was broken in two and he wrangled the severed parts into the ignition to—somehow—get the car to start. Two well-worn child car seats in the back testified to Bonta the proud family man.

William M. Gallagher’s Pulitzer Prize–winning hole-in-the-shoe photograph of 1952 Democratic candidate for President Adlai Stevenson II.

Published: November, 2013

California State Assemblyman Bonta arrived to talk ferries with Bay Crossings behind the wheel of his own car. A very used car. Bonta’s car key was broken in two and he wrangled the severed parts into the ignition to—somehow—get the car to start. Two well-worn child car seats in the back testified to Bonta the proud family man.

This is one politician who is clearly not profiting from public office. Bonta’s humble car recalls the iconic 1952 photograph of presidential candidate Adlai Stevenson II with a hole in his shoe. The photograph was taken by Flint Journal photographer William M. Gallagher, and when Gallagher won a Pulitzer Prize for the snap, he received a congratulatory cable from Stevenson: "Glad to hear you won with a hole in one."

Rob Bonta making the best of a bad situation piecing together his severed car key. Photo by Bobby Winston