97th Wisconsin Legislature

The Ninety-Seventh Wisconsin Legislature convened from January 3, 2005, to January 3, 2007, in regular session, and held two concurrent special sessions in January 2005 and February 2006, and two extraordinary sessions in July 2005 and April 2006.

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. Assembly members and even-numbered senators were elected in the general election of November 2, 2004. Senators representing odd-numbered districts were serving the third and fourth year of their four-year term, having been elected in the general election of November 5, 2002.

Major events

 * January 20, 2005: Second inauguration of George W. Bush as President of the United States.
 * April 5, 2005: 2005 Wisconsin spring election:
 * Wisconsin voters ratified an amendment to the state constitution to double the terms of several county officers from two years to four years.
 * November 7, 2006: 2006 United States general election:
 * Jim Doyle (D) re-elected Governor of Wisconsin.
 * Wisconsin voters ratified an amendment to the state constitution defining marriage as between one man and one woman.

Sessions

 * Regular session: January 3, 2005 – January 3, 2007
 * January 2005 special session: January 12, 2005 –January 20, 2005
 * July 2005 extraordinary session: July 20, 2005
 * February 2006 special session: February 14, 2006 –March 7, 2006
 * April 2006 extraordinary session: April 25, 2006 –May 17, 2006

Senate leadership

 * President of the Senate: Alan Lasee (R–Rockland)
 * President pro tempore: David Zien (R–Wheaton)


 * Majority leadership (Republican)
 * Majority Leader: Dale Schultz (R–Richland Center)
 * Assistant Majority Leader: Neal Kedzie (R–Elkhorn)
 * Majority Caucus Chairperson: Ron Brown (R–Eau Claire)


 * Minority leadership (Democratic)
 * Minority Leader: Judy Robson (D–Beloit)
 * Assistant Minority Leader: Dave Hansen (D–Green Bay)
 * Minority Caucus Chairperson: Jeffrey Plale (D–South Milwaukee)

Assembly leadership

 * Speaker of the Assembly: John Gard (R–Peshtigo)
 * Speaker pro tempore: Stephen Freese (R–Jamestown)


 * Majority leadership (Republican)
 * Majority Leader: Michael Huebsch (R–West Salem)
 * Assistant Majority Leader: Jeff Fitzgerald (R–Horicon)
 * Majority Caucus Chairperson: Daniel P. Vrakas (R–Delafield) (until Oct. 31, 2005)
 * Mark Gundrum (R–New Berlin) (after Oct. 31, 2005)
 * Majority Caucus Vice Chairperson: Mark Gottlieb (R–Port Washington)
 * Majority Caucus Secretary: Carol Owens (R–Nekimi)
 * Majority Caucus Sergeant at Arms: Jerry Petrowski (R–Stettin)


 * Minority leadership (Democratic)
 * Minority Leader: James Kreuser (D–Kenosha)
 * Assistant Minority Leader: Jon Richards (D–Milwaukee)
 * Minority Caucus Chairperson: Robert L. Turner (D–Racine)
 * Minority Caucus Vice Chairperson: Gary Sherman (D–Port Wing)
 * Minority Caucus Secretary: Amy Sue Vruwink (D–Milladore)
 * Minority Caucus Sergeant at Arms: Jennifer Shilling (D–La Crosse)

Members of the Senate
Members of the Wisconsin Senate for the Ninety-Seventh Wisconsin Legislature:

Members of the Assembly
Members of the Assembly for the Ninety-Seventh Wisconsin Legislature: