Article IV of the Constitution of Wisconsin, ratified in 1848, establishes the legislature and specifies the election of officers.

[2] The speaker is chosen by a majority vote of the Assembly members at the start of each session or whenever a vacancy occurs in the role during a session, as such, the speaker is almost always the de facto leader of the Assembly's majority party.

He is the 79th speaker since the establishment of the State Assembly and the 75th person to hold the office.

He is currently serving his fourth term as speaker, first elected to the role on January 7, 2013.

[3] The Speaker pro tempore is Representative Tyler August of Lake Geneva, Walworth County, Wisconsin.