Hastert, Denny (1942– )

US Republican politician, speaker of the House of Representatives 1999–2007. He was first elected a representative to Congress for the 14th District of Illinois in 1986. As the House Republican representative on the White House Healthcare Reform Task Force, chaired by Hillary Clinton, he oversaw the party's successful opposition to Clinton's healthcare plan in 1994 and the crafting of an alternative to Democratic proposals for reforming health maintenance organizations (HMOs) in 1998. He became the party's chief deputy whip in 1995 and succeeded the outspoken and bipartisan succeeded Newt Gingrich as speaker after the Republicans lost support in the November 1998 mid-term elections. More bi-partisan and low-profile than Gingrich, he was a skilled tactician and deal-maker who bridged the divisions within the Republican party which had frustrated the passage of legislation. After the November 2006 mid-term elections, the Republicans lost control of the House and Hastert decided not to run for the post of minority leader.

Born in Aurora, Illinois, his early career was as a teacher of history and English. In 1980 he was elected to the house of representatives in Illinois, being re-elected twice (until 1986).