16. Kate Murray

As the first woman supervisor in Hempstead Township’s long history, Murray was elected as leader of what some describe as the last Republican stronghold in Nassau County. With the town reportedly in sound economic health, this former assemblywoman has worked toward making sure the parks system is also in good shape and has undertaken numerous green initiatives, from acquiring a fleet of electric cars and hybrid-powered garbage trucks to opening a new nature preserve in Lido Beach in 2005. But aside from the rumors that she is being groomed for an eventual run for the county executive’s seat, the single issue that may make her particularly powerful this year is the fact that the zoning board is currently debating approval of construction for The Lighthouse, the $2 billion mixed-use plan that would redevelop 150 acres surrounding the Nassau Coliseum in Uniondale.