26. Denis Dillon
2003 Power List
A Kennedy-era Democrat turned conservative Republican, the long-serving D.A. has the power to prosecute—or not—and oversees 400-odd lawyers, many with political aspirations of their own. A devout Catholic, he refuses to prosecute law-breaking abortion protesters. PRAISE HIM because at least he’s consistent: He won’t seek the death penalty either. FEAR HIM for incubating so many Nassau Republican politicos.