Newton Gingrich was born in Pennsylvania. He graduated from high school in Georgia in 1961 and then attended Emory University in Atlanta. He received a Ph.D. from Tulane University in 1971. Gingrich taught for a while but soon turned to politics. He ran for election to the House of Representatives. He lost in 1974 and 1976 but won in 1978. In 1989 Gingrich was elected minority whip, or assistant, in the House. Gingrich was determined to increase Republican political power. Along with other Republican congressmembers, he presented the Contract with America, a set of campaign pledges that helped the Republican Party gain a majority in the House. In 1995 Gingrich was elected speaker of the House. He held that post until 1998, when he resigned after the Republicans' poor results in the congressional elections.
