fɔːɹ mˈoʊst əv wɪskˈɑːnsɪnz hˈɪstɚɹi, ðə sˈɛkɹətɹi ʌv stˈeɪt wʌz wˈʌn ʌvðə mˈoʊst pˈaʊɚfəl pəzˈɪʃənz ɪn stˈeɪt ɡˈʌvɚnmənt, pɚhˈæps sˈɛkənd ˈoʊnli tə ðə ɡˈʌvɚnɚ.
For most of Wisconsin's history, the Secretary of State was one of the most powerful positions in state government, perhaps second only to the Governor.