4. Steve Levy

What a difference a year makes. After a stunning election season that saw some serious upsets across the board, Levy finally has a Democratic majority in the Legislature, and maybe he’ll get some things done. His hard-line stance on issues such as immigration has not wavered, which has resulted in continuous verbal attacks from some in the Hispanic community who see him as racist. Levy’s vision of Suffolk’s growth has also raised the ire of many who decry his plans as a proliferation of sub- urban sprawl and nothing more than wishful thinking. For example, a planned development of workforce housing in Yaphank has ignited a firestorm of criticism from the surrounding community and others who are hoping the development will include space for serious motor sports. Either way, with a Democratic majority behind him, Levy is looking at brighter days, and this should be an interesting year for the county executive.