Dennis Hastert has been an incumbent since 1984.
John Dennis Hastert ( [ ˈhæstərt ] born January 2 , 1942 ) is an American former congressman who served as the 51st Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1999 to 2007 , representing from 1987 to 2007 . He lost a 1980 bid for the Illinois House of Representatives , but tried again and won a seat in 1981 . He was first elected to the United States House of Representatives in 1986 , and re-elected every subsequent election until he retired in 2007 . The Floor Services Chief is the title of the staff member in the Speaker 's or Majority Leader 's office who runs the Majority cloakroom in the United States House of Representatives .