35. Allan Binder
2004 Power List
Long considered an outsider, this conservative Republican might finally be getting his chance to lead. As chairman of the Suffolk Legislature’s new Rules Committee, Binder will be able to push and halt legislation at his discretion. But Suffolk Republicans are known to be a fractious and independent-minded bunch. If Binder tries to throw his weight around too much, he could find himself back on the outs. He asked Newsday not to bother giving him their endorsement in the last election (and got his wish), and he won a resounding victory.