Actually N. Leroy is from the Northeast. He is what they call in the South a carpetbagger. But he never did leave his Northeastern liberal statism behind.
Gingrich traveled a lot as a youth because his stepfather was in the military. His higher education was in the South. He taught in the South. He represented Georgia in congress, so apparently he was good enough for the folks who live there. He currently lives in Virginia.
“Carpetbagger” is a term used by Democrats against Republicans. Does not apply here.