Last year's rollercoaster year in politics has paved the way for an even bigger 2013 for several politicians who burst onto the national stage over the past 12 months.
These lawmakers and executives are now poised to shape the country's landscape for the next year, setting the scene for two big election cycles in 2014 and 2016.
Whether they are dominating the halls of Capitol Hill or governing in the nation's midsection, we've compiled a list of the top 14 politicians you should definitely be keeping an eye on this year.
Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX)
Cruz, a Tea Party favorite, was swept into victory in Texas' 2012 Senate election, and now figures to be a major part of Republican resistance against President Barack Obama in the next four years. Cruz, 42, is young, Latino, and he is practical about the challenges the GOP faces in attracting voters from both demographics.
Cruz already had a busy first day in Congress, coming out against Sen. Dianne Feinstein's planned reintroduction of the assault weapons ban and signaling a challenge to Obama on raising the debt ceiling. The Texas Republican is also poised to play a big role in GOP politics, as a vice chairman of the National Republican Senatorial Campaign Committee.
Sen. Elizabeth Warren (D-MA)
Warren, one of Wall Street's worst nightmares, walked through the doors of Capitol Hill Thursday and officially became a U.S. Senator after winning one of the most highly publicized election battles over Republican Scott Brown.
In the wake of the 2008 financial crisis, Warren served as the chair of the Congressional Oversight Panel and helped create the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau. She has already been handed a spot on the Senate Banking Committee, and she'll play a major role in oversight of financial institutions.
New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie
Christie had a big end to 2012, and his presence should only grow as he runs for re-election and the spotlight on him gets even brighter.
A Republican firebrand with a penchant for saying exactly what's on his mind, Christie has irked both Democrats and even members of his own party, some of whom claim his last-week campaign embrace of President Barack Obama during Hurricane Sandy cost Mitt Romney the 2012 election. But it has also paved his path to national prominence.
This year, Christie is up for re-election, but he doesn't figure to have much of a challenge — Newark Mayor Cory Booker, his most prominent potential Democratic challenger, decided last month not to take on Christie in the gubernatorial race.
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