Newt Gingrich announced his campaign for the 2012 GOP presidential nomination on Wednesday via his Twitter account.

"Today I am announcing my candidacy for president of the United States," Gingrich Tweeted.

In a follow-up Tweet, Gingrich publicized his plan to discuss his campaign with Sean Hannity’s talk show on Fox News on Wednesday evening.

Gingrich, 67, was elected to Congress in 1978, and he became speaker of the House in 1995. He left Congress in 1999 after Democratic victories in 1998. This experience has garnered praise from local Republicans.

— by Sarah Bulmer