Steve Sviggum

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.