Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: An unlikely Cabinet sensation

LaHood -- the man from Peoria, Ill. -- uses social media to raise the profile of his agency's causes, bringing particular attention to the problem of distracted driving.

LaHood has launched campaigns to increase public awareness on the dangers of text messaging while driving. He has enlisted celebrity help from the likes of Oprah Winfrey and the U.N. secretary-general.

Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post

"American Idol" finalist Jordin Sparks and her mother, Jodi Sparks, add their thumbprints to a wall during an event aimed at ending distracted driving by teens.

Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post

LaHood -- with Joan Simpson, left, and Julie Oettinger -- is active online. His blog receives more than 40,000 hits a week, second only to the president in federal blogdom.

Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post

LaHood is a lifelong Republican in a Democratic administration, brought on with a nod to the bipartisanship that President Obama promised to sustain.

Bill O'Leary-The Washington Post

LaHood, at a coffee shop with Jill Zuckman, has lived in Washington for decades but still has strong ties to his home town. He returns to Peoria for his haircuts.

Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post

LaHood greets interns, from left, Joe Eberle, Christopher Mfume and Michael Natal. "He's got a good gift for dealing with people," former House minority leader Bob Michel (R-Ill.) says.

Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post

LaHood plans to be transportation secretary "as long as the president wants me."

Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post

LaHood, with press secretary Olivia Alair, gets generally high marks for his work to improve auto safety.

Nikki Kahn-The Washington Post

Gallery Credits:
Producer, Photo Editor Allison Slomowitz Text Editor Machiko Yasuda

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Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood: An unlikely Cabinet sensation

LaHood -- the man from Peoria, Ill. -- uses social media to raise the profile of his agency's causes, bringing particular attention to the problem of distracted driving.

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