A lot can change in a year — just ask former Gov. Bob McDonnell, voted “most effective politician” in 2013 — and that’s why our annual Best & Worst reader survey is as essential now, on its 27th anniversary, as it has always been. This year, nearly 6,000 of you weighed in on the region’s highs and lows, responding to 250-odd categories, from most embarrassing local politician (hint: McDonnell didn’t even win it) to best cake. It’s the Richmond region laid out for the taking — and, best of all, it was all your doing.