19. Kate Murray

Murray, a Republican, is well posi- tioned for her bid to be reelected head of the nation’s largest town. She can boast about budget surpluses, high bond ratings and new housing development, and she has the unequivocal support of party leaders. A sign that Murray is being groomed for bigger things is the GOP’s decision not to run her as a sacrificial candidate for county executive this year. If reelected, she’ll be an important player in any decisions about rezoning and redeveloping the Nassau HUB.