ATLANTA (AP) -- Republican Newt Gingrich has formally jumped into the race for president.

In a post on Twitter Wednesday, the former House speaker says, "Today I am announcing my candidacy for president of the United States."

In a YouTube video, Gingrich assures viewers, "There's a much better American future ahead."

Gingrich has been publicly flirting with the race for months. He said Monday he would seek the Republican nomination, telling fans to tune into Fox News on Wednesday night as he talked about his presidential run.

The 67-year-old joins a Republican field still taking shape.

Gingrich spearheaded the GOP takeover of the House in 1994, the first time Republicans controlled the chamber in four decades. He stepped down in 1999 after four tumultuous years at the helm.

[youtube http://www.youtube.com/v/xRSz21Vedxc?fs=1&hl=en_US expand=1]