33. Kathy Graziano

Richmond City Council President

City government's peace-loving taskmaster, City Council President Kathy Graziano made her political career as a state Republican lobbyist. She now keeps her roving band of city lawmakers in order, running meetings with firm efficiency. She has the ear of local business leaders, is the go-to for council members who want to get things done and, to Councilman Bruce Tyler's dismay, is politically untouchable. An amicable relationship with Mayor Jones (No. 7) helped her weather a budget-related NAACP firestorm, but all this peacemaking comes at a cost: What, exactly, has Graziano accomplished?

Next: 34: Darcy S. Oman –>

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