This political wunderkind—and grandson of the legendary political strategist Sam Patch—began the year walking a fine line between his boss (the mayor), his former boss (Toni Preckwinkle), and his own ambitions. A loyal soldier, Summers must have heard the growing chatter that he’d be a darn good candidate to pick up the pieces of Emanuel’s fractured mayoralty. One thing is sure: Political watchers think he’s destined for bigger things.