The governor has a duty to enforce state laws, and the power to either approve or veto bills passed by the Wisconsin Legislature, to convene the legislature, and to grant pardons, except in cases of treason and impeachment.

The position was first filled by Nelson Dewey on June 7, 1848, the year Wisconsin became a state.

[2] Any bill passed by the Wisconsin State Legislature must be presented to the governor, who either signs it into law, or vetoes it.

Governors have the power to strike out words, numbers, and even entire sentences from bills.

[4] Despite this 1990 law, the strength of the governor's veto power gave rise to the term "Frankenstein veto" to describe the governor's ability to form a new bill that subverts the intent of the legislature.

[6] The governor may pardon, commute, or grant reprieve of sentences, except in cases of treason or impeachment.

[11] State law requires the governor to prepare an executive budget bill.

The longest-serving governor was Tommy Thompson, from January 5, 1987, until February 1, 2001, a total of 14 years and 28 days; the shortest-serving was Arthur MacArthur Sr., from March 21, 1856, until March 25 of the same year; a total of 5 days.

Four governors have resigned: William Barstow due to fraud allegations, Robert La Follette Sr. to take his seat in the United States Senate, Patrick Joseph Lucey to become Ambassador to Mexico, and Tommy Thompson to become United States Secretary of Health and Human Services.

However, Arthur MacArthur Sr., who, as lieutenant governor, became acting governor upon the resignation of William Barstow in 1856, was removed after the Wisconsin Supreme Court ruled that Barstow's opponent in the previous election, Coles Bashford, was the election's legitimate winner.

He retained his seat, defeating Milwaukee mayor Tom Barrett by seven percentage points, a margin one point greater than that of the 2010 election,[19] becoming the first governor in American history to survive a recall attempt.

Four parties have had their candidates elected governor: the Democratic, the Whig, the Republican and the Progressive.