3. Steven Levy

Levy handily beat both Bill Cunningham and Ed Romaine for Suffolk County executive. A moderate and a reformer by reputation, Levy is also known to be a demanding boss. He has already cut staff salaries to ease the county’s looming $235 million deficit, and joined forces with other county executives to pressure Albany over Medicaid payments. After several terms as a state Assemblyman, he’s got pals in the state capitol. He was a contender for the #1 spot, but his power is limited to Suffolk, and his relationship with the majority GOP in the Legislature looks to be contentious.