Newt Gingrich Newton Leroy Gingrich, (born June 17, 1943) is an American politician who is best known as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. In 1995 he was named Time Magazine's Man of the Year for his role in leading the Republican Revolution in Congress, ending 40 straight years of Democratic majorities in the House. During his tenure as Speaker he represented the public face of the Republican opposition to President Bill Clinton. A college history professor, prolific author, and staunchly conservative Republican, Gingrich twice ran unsuccessfully for the House before first winning a seat in November 1978. He was re-elected ten times, and his activism as a member of the House's Republican minority eventually enabled him to succeed Dick Cheney as House Minority Whip in 1989. As a co-author of the 1994 Contract With America, Gingrich was in the forefront of the Republican Party's dramatic success in the 1994 Congressional elections, and was subsequently elected Speaker. Gingrich's leadership in Congress was marked by contentious opposition to the policies of the Clinton Administration and Gingrich presided over the House during the impeachment of the President. Public disapproval of the House's activities, along with the Party's poor electoral results in the 1998 elections, amidst criticism of his ethics and personal life, led Gingrich to resign his position and his seat.
Subsequently, Gingrich has maintained a career as a political analyst and consultant, and continues to write works related to government and other subjects such as historical fiction. He has expressed some interest in being a candidate for the 2008 Republican nomination for the Presidency.
