Newton Leroy "Newt" Gingrich (born Newton Leroy McPherson; June 17, 1943) is an American politician who served as the Speaker of the United States House of Representatives from 1995 to 1999. In 1995, Time magazine (Time (magazine)) selected him as the Person of the Year for his role in leading the Republican Revolution in the House, ending 40 years of the Democratic Party (Democratic Party (United States)) being in the majority. During his tenure as Speaker, he represented the public face of the Republican (Republican Party United States) opposition to Bill Clinton.

A college history professor, political leader, and author, Gingrich twice ran unsuccessfully for the House before winning a seat in the election of November 1978. He was re-elected 10 times, and his activism as a member of the Houses Republican minority eventually enabled him to succeed Dick Cheney as House Minority Whip (Party whips of the United States House of Representatives) in 1989. As a co-author of the 1994 Contract with America, Gingrich was in the forefront of the Republican Partys dramatic success in that years Congressional elections and subsequently was elected Speaker of the House. Gingrichs leadership in Congress was marked by opposition to many of the policies of the Clinton Administration (Presidency of Bill Clinton). Shortly after the 1998 elections, when Republicans lost 5 seats in the House, Gingrich announced his resignation from his House seat and as Speaker.

Since resigning his seat, Gingrich has maintained a career as a political analyst and consultant. He continues to write works related to government and other subjects, such as historical fiction. Recently, he founded the conservative 527 group American Solutions for Winning the Future.