He and a group of Boston men traveled to the Ohio factory where the cars were built and drove them home.
In 1952 he was a member of the Electoral College, casting one of Massachusetts' votes for Dwight D. Eisenhower.
On January 8, 1953, Bonnell defeated Frederick H. Deaborn 79 votes to 14 to become the Republican national committeeman for Massachusetts.
[4] In May 1956, Bonnell defeated incumbent Elmer C. Nelson to become Republican State Committee Chairman.
[5][6][7][8] Bonnell married Mildred Sullivan, who had been one year below him at Stow High School.