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August 24, 2020
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RACHAEL WARRINER/SHUTTERSTOCK; U.S. HOUSE; CELESTE SLOMAN
ALEXANDRIA OCASIO-CORTEZ
Congress Member Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez is considered one of the most powerful foils to President Donald Trump and the GOP writ large, countering their tweets with her own, which are then frequently magnified by the media. A social media influencer and member of the Squad – four progressive firstterm members of Congress who swept into the House in 2018 – Ocasio-Cortez has increasingly brought progressivism into the national political conversation, much to the chagrin of moderate Democrats. But Ocasio-Cortez isn’t omniscient. She hasn’t done well when handicapping local
City & State New York
deeply segregated school system have been met with both praise and rancor, but it’s his choice to close schools for more than a month during the coronavirus outbreak that tested his decision-making skills. The move was both an inconvenience and relief to millions of parents. As the new school year draws closer, Carranza will again be under intense scrutiny.
AOC has established herself as the most potent foil to the president.
and national races, including endorsing U.S. Sen. Bernie Sanders in the Democratic presidential primary. OcasioCortez has now entered her second term, fending off two challengers, all while building a progressive wing of the party that can force the establishment to pause.
2 RICHARD CARRANZA
Chancellor New York City Department of Edu c ation Schools chancellor Richard Carranza commands one of the most complex school systems in the country – and he doesn’t appear to break a sweat over it. His actions aimed at integrating the
Nydia Veláz qu ez stays relevant by advoc ating for the voic eless.
3 NYDIA VELÁZQUEZ
Congress Member The first Puerto Rican woman elected to Congress, Rep. Nydia Velázquez stays relevant by doing what she does best: advocating for the voiceless. The 14-term Brooklyn legislator has also become something of a stateswoman, advising fellow colleague Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez to stand down in targeting her own party. Unlike other veteran Congress members running for reelection, Velázquez didn’t face any serious challengers.
4 ROBERT MUJICA
State Budget Director With a multibillion-dollar budget hole in need of filling, the tough decisions will be Gov. Andrew Cuomo’s to make, but state budget director Robert Mujica’s to recommend. Mujica, a member of the governor’s inner circle who has served in the Cuomo administration since 2016, is serving on the
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MTA board despite failing to comply with a residency requirement that was waived by the state Senate last year.
5 FÉLIX V. MATOS RODRÍGUEZ
Chancellor City University of New York As the first Latino chancellor for the City University of New York system, Félix V. Matos Rodríguez reflects the dominant demographics of the system’s student body. Presiding over a network comprising 25 campuses and enrollment of more than 275,000 students, Rodríguez has bolstered the economic impact that CUNY schools, particularly Queens College and City College, can generate.
6 RAFAEL SALAMANCA JR.
New York City Council Member As the chair of the powerful New York City Council Land Use Committee, Rafael Salamanca Jr. has pumped the brakes on rezoning projects across New York City, including the Southern Boulevard rezoning project in the South Bronx, much to the chagrin of Mayor Bill de Blasio. The former Bronx Community Board 2 district manager has impressed colleagues enough that he’s being considered for council speaker; he would be the first Bronxite to hold the post.