25. “The Independents” Bobby Kumar

Although he and Frank MacKay share the same power position, the state party chair deserves a re-introduction himself. Political enigma Kumar, once a Republican powerhouse that faded into the background, has risen like the proverbial phoenix to become more powerful than ever before. His bridge-building skills are legendary, and the combined energy and savvy of MacKay and Kumar have given the Independence Party unprecedented strength, which seems to grow by the day.