Thursday, Mar. 29, 2012
Newt Gingrich
Age: 68
Occupation: Republican presidential candidate
The former House Speaker's surge in the Republican presidential primary was as unlikely as his return to the national stage in the first place. After more than a decade out of power, Gingrich fought through a blizzard of attack ads to become one of two finalists vying to become the conservative alternative to Mitt Romney. Gingrich's candidacy was eventually eclipsed by Rick Santorum's, but his sharp debate performances earned him primary victories in South Carolina and Georgia, as well as renewed admiration in his party.