Newt Gingrich on the campaign trail

Former Speaker of the House Newt Gingrich was among the first candidates to officially jump into the race. The outspoken conservative, who is largely credited with orchestrating the 1994 Republican takeover of the House of Representatives, is a prolific author, television personality and an often polarizing figure.

In the following slides, CBS News presents scenes from Gingrich's political career over the past two decades -- and his pursuit of the 2012 Republican presidential nomination.

Credit: Chip Somodevilla/Getty Images