Newt Gingrich is a prominent American figure, serving as the 50th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. As a member of the Republican Party, he represented Georgia's 6th congressional district from 1979 to 1999, making him the first Republican to do so in the district's history.
Prior to his political career, Gingrich was a professor of history and geography at the University of West Georgia in the 1970s. He won election to the U.S. House of Representatives in November 1978, and went on to serve as House Minority Whip from 1989 to 1995.
Gingrich played a crucial role in the Republican victory in the 1994 congressional election, and was a co-author and architect of the "Contract with America". His leadership and vision earned him the title of "Man of the Year" from Time magazine in 1995, in recognition of his role in ending the four-decades-long Democratic majority in the House.
As House Speaker, Newt Gingrich oversaw the passage of significant legislation, including welfare reform and a capital gains tax cut in 1997. He was also instrumental in several government shutdowns during his tenure.
After leaving the House, Gingrich remained active in public policy debates and worked as a political consultant. He founded and chaired several policy think tanks, including American Solutions for Winning the Future and the Center for Health Transformation.
In 2012, Gingrich ran for the Republican nomination in the presidential election, but ultimately endorsed front runner Mitt Romney, who won the nomination. Despite his departure from elected office, Newt Gingrich continues to be a prominent voice in American politics.
