Arguably the most powerful woman in the state, Harwell wasted no time plotting to punish MNPS for rejecting a charter school planned for her district. Although her efforts fell victim to GOP conflicts this spring, she quickly played the speaker card (a rarity at the local level) to sideline an anti-charter school moratorium in the Metro Council and is laying groundwork poking holes in any future legal fights.
Best Charter School Defender
House Speaker Beth Harwell
Photo: Eric England
