Newt Gingrich

Newt Gingrich is an American politician, author, and historian who served as the 50th Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. A member of the Republican Party, he represented Georgia's 6th congressional district in the House from 1979 until his resignation in 1999. Gingrich was a primary architect of the Republican Revolution in the 1994 midterm elections, which gave the party control of the Congress for the first time in four decades, and he co-authored the Contract with America.

Early life and education

Newton Leroy Gingrich was born on June 17, 1943, in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. He spent much of his childhood in Hummelstown, Pennsylvania, and on military bases due to his father's career in the United States Army. He attended Emory University, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in history, and later received both a Master of Arts and a Doctor of Philosophy in modern European history from Tulane University. His doctoral dissertation focused on Belgian colonial policy in the Belgian Congo.

Political career

After an unsuccessful run for a House seat in 1974 and 1976, he was elected to represent Georgia's 6th congressional district in the 1978 election. In the House, he helped found the Conservative Opportunity Society and became a vocal critic of Speaker Jim Wright. He was elected House Minority Whip in 1989. After leading the Republican campaign that resulted in a majority in the 1994 elections, he was elected Speaker in 1995. His tenure was marked by battles with President Bill Clinton, including the 1995–96 government shutdowns and the Clinton–Lewinsky scandal, which led to the impeachment of Bill Clinton. He announced his resignation from the Speakership and from the House in 1998 after poor midterm election results for his party and facing an ethics investigation.

Post-Speakership activities

After leaving Congress, he founded the consulting firm The Gingrich Group and served as a senior fellow at the American Enterprise Institute. He became a political commentator for Fox News and authored several books, including historical fiction and political works. He remained active in Republican politics, chairing GOPAC and founding the political advocacy group American Solutions for Winning the Future. He was a candidate for the 2012 Republican presidential nomination, winning primaries in several states including South Carolina and Georgia before suspending his campaign and endorsing eventual nominee Mitt Romney.

Political positions and ideology

A central figure in the rise of modern American conservatism, he is known for his combative partisan style and advocacy for a muscular foreign policy. He was a key proponent of the Contract with America, which advocated for balanced-budget amendments, welfare reform, and congressional term limits. He supported the Iraq War and has been a critic of what he describes as "secular socialism." His positions on issues like climate change and health care have often been framed in opposition to Democratic proposals, such as the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act.

Personal life

He has been married three times: to Jackie Battley (1962–1981), Marianne Ginther (1981–2000), and Callista Bisek (2000–present). He has two daughters from his first marriage. He converted to Roman Catholicism in 2009. He has authored or co-authored numerous books, including the alternate history novel *1945* and political analyses like *To Renew America*. He has made cameo appearances in media such as the film *Primary Colors* and the television series *The Simpsons*.

Electoral history

His federal electoral history includes his initial victory in the 1978 election for Georgia's 6th congressional district over Democrat Virginia Shapard. He was re-elected nine times from this district, often by wide margins. His final House election was the 1996 election, where he defeated Democrat Michael Coles. In the 2012 Republican presidential primaries, he won the South Carolina, Georgia, and Delaware primaries, finishing behind eventual nominee Mitt Romney in the overall delegate count. Category:1943 births Category:American political writers Category:Speakers of the United States House of Representatives