<Ul> <Li> Other countries </Li> <Li> Atlas </Li> </Ul> <Tr> <Td> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> </Td> </Tr> <Ul> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> <Li> </Li> </Ul> <P> Historically, there have been several controversial elections to the speakership, such as the contest of 1839 . In that case, even though the 26th United States Congress convened on December 2, the House could not begin the speakership election until December 14 because of an election dispute in New Jersey known as the "Broad Seal War". Two rival delegations, one Whig and the other Democrat, had been certified as elected by different branches of the New Jersey government . The problem was compounded by the fact that the result of the dispute would determine whether the Whigs or the Democrats held the majority . Neither party agreed to permit a speakership election with the opposite party's delegation participating . Finally, it was agreed to exclude both delegations from the election and a Speaker was finally chosen on December 17 . </P>

Who serves as an assistant to the speaker of the house