Realistically, this list begins at #2: the New Jersey Constitution grants such extraordinary powers to the Governor that only in extreme circumstances would a sitting Governor not be #1 on the list, i.e. the 3.5 days of Governor John O. Bennett III.

The smart and savvy Assembly Speaker has shown he can go ten rounds with Corzine and Codey, and he gets backup from the enormously powerful Camden County Democratic machine. Roberts has the chance to get stronger if his party picks up Assembly seats in November – especially in South Jersey.

He’s the Mayor of New Jersey’s largest city, the Hudson County Democratic Chairman, and willing to get involved – literally – in Jersey shore brawls. The former Judge was easily re-elected in 2005 and has raised a ton of money in case someone decides to take him on in ’09.

The junior United States Senator may only be at #7 because he’s decided not to exercise all the power he has, chiefly as the natural leader of the Hudson County Democrats – a role he zealously guarded until just recently. But he’s the Deputy Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee – a leadership post for the majority party in the U.S. Senate.

The Democratic State Chairman and Assemblyman from Union County is close to the Governor, legislative leaders and party chairs. And the son of a legendary vote getter knows how to run a campaign.

The self-described 24/7 Mayor of Union City is headed to the State Senate, after winning a primary against the Hudson County Democratic Organization with 75% of the vote.  Once he takes his seat, he’s poised to pass Healy and Menendez as the most powerful pol in Hudson County.

His power comes from his Independence; he won re-election with the active opposition of party bosses – and Cory Booker -- which means he doesn’t have to answer to anybody for the next four years – that’s a rare form of power.

The Chairman of the Senate Health Committee (and former volunteer interim Mayor of Woodbridge) is well liked and respected on both sides of the aisle. Solidly popular among his Middlesex County constituents, Vitale doesn’t have to answer to anyone. The only thing that makes him less powerful than #13 is that he puts a premium on party loyalty.

The six-term Congressman from Passaic County combines strong political acumen, a seat on the House Ways and Means Committee, and real sway in local party politics as a base of power. And he’s pulled off the unusual: he’s even more powerful in Washington than he was in Trenton, while serving in tandem as an Assemblyman and as the Mayor of Paterson.

For the most part, Steve Adubato lets the Essex County Executive run Essex County – more than his colleague, #40, gets.  And he has no trouble winning re-election.

There should be no mistake that this veteran Freeholder runs county government in Middlesex – and probably Piscataway, where his son-in-law is the Mayor.

His U.S. Senate run and family tree makes him one of the state’s higher profile Republicans. He can raise some money, more than most Republicans – though that is a relative statement in a state where Democrats dominate fundraising.  More importantly, he has the votes to become Minority Leader next year.

He’s the only New Jersey Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, and serves on a key subcommittee that funds the military, so with this power comes great responsibility to deliver. But unlike at least one of his colleagues, he wields little influence at home, and didn’t take sides in the Ferriero/Weinberg war.

As Chairwoman of the Assembly Appropriations Committee, she has emerged as a key member of Joe Roberts’ leadership team.

The seven-term Congressman from Morris County is no longer a member of the College of Cardinals, but his seat on the House Appropriations Committee and his ability to get along with colleagues from both parties makes him a quietly formidable figure.

When Passaic Mayor Sammy Rivera was arrested, he lost his place on the list to Schaer, the City Council President; his dual role as an Assemblyman – and his influence over the Orthodox vote in Passaic – puts him higher on the list than Rivera would have been.

The Hudson County Executive isn’t in Jerry Healy’s league when it comes to power, but in Hudson County, there are more than enough toys to keep everybody happy… sometimes!.

Jim McGreevey’s old Business Administrator and State Treasurer is now the Mayor of Woodbridge – a job that was a stepping-stone to Drumthwacket once.

The veteran Plainfield Democrat – once viewed as a possible goner when he was on the wrong side of a fight with his Mayor – is a late bloomer. He has gained considerable clout in the Legislature, and played a role in ousting the Mayor he didn’t like and replacing him with his ally.

 It’s a lesson on how things work in New Jersey: a year ago, Assembly Speaker Albio Sires would have been in the top five on this list.  Then he runs for higher office, and as a freshman Congressman, he’s not even in the top fifty.  But Sires’ friend  -- and staffer – is the Mayor of Weehawken, has a seat at the Hudson table of power, and backed the winners in the June primary.  That makes him the more powerful of the two.

The Mayor of Trenton also plays a leading role in the National Conference of Mayors.

Not many Republicans have real power in Trenton, but this Burlington Assemblyman gets clout from his shear typo expertise on the state budget.

The newly elected Somerset County Freeholder has emerged as the county’s real powerhouse – the one his party leader seems to trust the most to put out some recent fires to ensure continued GOP victories.

Paterson is the state’s third largest city would be higher on the list if he were able to have any influence over county and state politics. He ain't no Frank Graves or Bill Pascrell.  He’s strictly a local guy.

The Mayor of Morristown, once a U.S. Senate candidate, makes the list because of his ability to generate important headlines and political discourse on a major issue – immigration reform.