He began his speakership under unusual circumstances, as 1998 also saw the election of Reform Party candidate Jesse Ventura as governor while the Democrats retained control of the Minnesota Senate.

[5][6] In 2003 Sviggum alleged that then-State Representative Rebecca Otto had knowingly distributed false campaign materials.

[8] On June 26, 2007, Governor Tim Pawlenty announced that Sviggum would succeed Scott Brenner as Minnesota Commissioner of Labor and Industry.

A special election held on August 7, 2007, to determine Sviggum's successor was won by Republican Steve Drazkowski of Wabasha.

"[20] On January 16, 2012, Sviggum was named communications director and executive assistant for the Republican caucus in the Minnesota Senate.

Sviggum replaced Michael Brodkorb, who had resigned in the wake of a scandal involving former Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch.

Senate Minority Leader Tom Bakk said he believed holding both positions was a conflict of interest.