Newt Gingrich lost in 74 and 76 to Jack Flynt and then Flynt retired in 78.
Yes, he did come closer than any other Republican had in that historically Democrat seat, but still came up short twice. He had the fortune of not having to run against an incumbent the third time, and after being elected to the open seat, the district was redrawn to be Republican. I discussed this with Newt's supporters during the 2012 GOP primary when they were claiming Newt's history of winning elective office as soooo much more impressive than Rick Santorum's. Actually, their record of running for elective office is about even.