The Forty-Third Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 13, 1897, to April 21, 1897, in regular session.

Senators representing even-numbered districts were newly elected for this session and were serving the first two years of a four-year term.

Assembly members were elected to a two-year term.

Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of a four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 6, 1894.

[1] The governor of Wisconsin during this entire term was Republican Edward Scofield, of Oconto County, serving a two-year term, having won election in the 1896 Wisconsin gubernatorial election.