45. DuWayne Gregory

DuWayne Gregory, a U.S. Army veteran who’s served as a county lawmaker representing the southwestern corner of Suffolk since 2008, is the first African American to lead the county legislature. In addition to overseeing his famously independent panel, last fall he proved yet again he’s a fighter, when he unsuccessfully tried to unseat pugilistic 13-term U.S. Rep. Peter King (R-Seaford), the dean of Long Island’s congressional delegation. Yet Gregory is not one to play politics simply to play politics. He remains commited to attaining the very best for his constituents—evidenced by the fact that even the legislature’s Republican minority leader has complimented Gregory on his even-handedness. Since he clearly has ambitions for higher office, even though he’s nearing his term limit, don’t expect this extraordinary lawmaker to retreat from public service anytime soon. He cares too much about improving the lives of everyday Long Islanders.