22. Joseph Caracappa

As the Republican conference leader, Caracappa has managed to do what a lesser politician could not: make very rough sailing for the county executive’s legislative agenda without mak- ing his members look like obstructionists. He has held the majority together in tough votes and protected his own nice-guy image. The GOP is so impressed that the buzz is Caracappa may be their best chance to keep the Brookhaven supervisor’s seat, now that John Jay LaValle has decided not to run.