AGE 52: Chris Christie

Governor of New Jersey

What makes him powerful: Chris Christie — who's served as the governor of New Jersey since 2010 — came under fire in January of 2014 when a couple of his top aides allegedly closed lanes on the George Washington Bridge, causing a major traffic jam in Fort Lee, New Jersey, the hometown of one of Christie's political opponents. Christie isn't letting the controversy, now referred to as "Bridgegate," hold him back though — he's a potential GOP candidate for the 2016 presidential race.