29. John Flanagan

Ascending to the post of top-elected Republican this spring, John Flanagan kept the powerful position in Long Island hands after his predecessor, state Sen. Dean Skelos (R-Rockville Centre), resigned from his leadership role (but not his seat) upon pleading not guilty to federal corruption charges. Flanagan had his work cut out for him when taking over during the last-minute rush to pass bills before the state legislature recessed in June. To address upstate concerns that he would be too focused on downstate issues, once summer break came, he quickly began touring the state. Among his first tests in maintaining the GOP’s slim senate majority will be an upcoming special election, since Skelos has been convicted and expelled from office, as well as defending a future vacancy in Sen. Jack Martins’ (R-Mineola) seat, who has announced he’ll be running for U.S. Congress.