< 25 Top Pension Power Players

When Scott Walker was elected governor of Wisconsin in 2010, it was the beginning of the end for the state’s public sector unions. The following year, to close a $3.6 billion budget gap, Walker pushed Act 10 through the legislature, eliminating collective bargaining rights for unionized state workers and doubling their mandated pension contributions. The Republican governor was hoping to replace the defined benefit pension that covers all state employees with a 401(k)-style savings plan, but he changed his mind after learning that Wisconsin’s system is fully funded and widely acknowledged as the best in the U.S. Walker survived a 2012 recall election that was held as protests against his antiunion actions mounted. With $30 million in funding from the Koch brothers and other GOP donors, the 49-year-old governor still has national ambitions. His model for taking on unions is one GOP leaders are looking to. — Frances Denmark

 
The 2017 Pension Political Power 25

1. Andy Puzder Secretary of Labor 2. Bruce Rauner Governor of Illinois 3. Betsy DeVos Secretary of Education Finding, Applying for, and Winning Grant Funding: Tips for Nonprofits Sponsored by Fidelity Investments April 29, 2025 4. Laura & John Arnold Founders, Laura and John Arnold Foundation 5. Steven Mnuchin Secretary of the Treasury

6. Wilbur Ross Secretary of Commerce 7. Tani Cantil-Sakauye California Chief Justice 8. Paul Ryan Speaker of the House 9. Anthony Scaramucci Founder, SkyBridge Capital 10. Kevin de León California State Senator and President Pro Tempore

11. Mike Enzi Chairman, Senate Subcommittee on Primary Health and Retirement Security 12. Steve Sweeney President, New Jersey State Senate 13. Jerry Brown Governor of California 14. Corey Lewandowski Co-founder, Avenue Strategies 15. Paul Singer President, Elliott Management Corp.

16. Randel Johnson Senior Vice President, Labor, Immigration, and Employee Benefits, U.S. Chamber of Commerce 17. Joe Manchin U.S. Senator 18. Kenneth Feinberg Founder and managingpartner, Feinberg Rozen 19. Scott Walker Governor of Wisconsin 20. Richard Trumka President, AFL-CIO

21. Mike Rawlings Mayor of Dallas 22. Elizabeth Warren U.S. Senator 23. Kent Mason Partner, Davis & Harman 24. Bernie Sanders U.S. Senator 25. Randi Weingarten President, American Federation of Teachers