31. Joe Mondello

Nassau County’s GOP didn’t gain any legislative seats in the 2003 election, but despite Suozzi’s popularity, they didn’t lose any either. The veteran Nassau party chairman’s biggest victory was winning the 4th District, a seat Dems had long held. Mondello’s candidate, Denise Ford, was a registered Democrat who ran on the Republican ticket. By being shy only one seat of the majority, legislative Republicans will have the power to derail the many bond issues Democrats are expected to put forth this year.