42. William Lindsay

Lindsay likely would have made this list a long time ago, but his behind-the-scenes strategy—while effective—doesn’t lend itself to the kind of headline-grabbing news often coming out of Suffolk County lawmakers. In January, he became the second presiding officer ever to have won five consecutive one-year terms to the legislature’s helm, which is a testament to his prowess. While content to get things done without sending out seven press releases per day, he won political points amid a high-profile confrontation with lame duck Suffolk County Executive Steve Levy, not that Lindsay needs the boost as he runs for re-election this fall. We only hope that his eventual successor has the same “intestinal fortitude,” as Lindsay would put it.