Gingrich made it official on Twitter when he tweeted:
"Today I am announcing my candidacy for President of the United States. You can watch my announcement here. http://bit.ly/kEbh7d"
Gingrich also released a video on youtube.com in which he says he believes "we can return America to hope and opportunity, to full employment, to real security, to an American energy program, to a balanced budget."
Gingrich, a Republican, was elected to Congress in 1978 and served as the Speaker of the House for four years.
