Why was Newt Gingrich a significant political figure in the 1990s? He and his supporters fought against the balanced budget amendment. He was the first Republican to serve as Speaker of the House in forty years. He challenged Bill Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. He led a movement against tax cuts proposed in the Contract with America.Why was Newt Gingrich a significant political figure in the 1990s? He and his supporters fought against the balanced budget amendment. He was the first Republican to serve as Speaker of the House in forty years. He challenged Bill Clinton for the Democratic presidential nomination. He led a movement against tax cuts proposed in the Contract with America.