'Little House on the Prairie' Actress Runs For Congress

By R. Siva Kumar - 12 Aug '15 02:00AM

On Monday, Melissa Gilbert, known best for her movie featuring Laura Ingalls Wilder on the TV series 'Little House On The Prairie", is now standing for Congress.

She said that she woule be representing Michigan's 8th congressional district as a Democrat. That seat is now being held by a Republican, Mike Bishop, who had been elected in 2014, and will be running as the incumbent too in 2016.

Michigan's 8th district includes "the state capital, Lansing, and Oakland, Ingham and Livingston counties." Melissa lives in Michigan with her husband, Gilbert.

"Here in Michigan, I know people are doing their best to make a good life for themselves and their families," Gilbert's campaign said. "When it comes down to it, I think that's what we all really want."

"Excited to announce my run for U.S. Congress in Michigan's 8th. Please join me in my fight for working families here."

The Gilbert for Michigan drive explained that she is looking into issues "confronting women, children and families."

"I'm running for Congress to make life a little easier for all the families who feel they have fallen through the cracks in today's economy," the campaign said in a statement. "I believe building a new economy is a team effort, and we need to bring fresh voices to the table to get the job done."

She had been President of the Screen Actor's Guild from 2001 to 2005. There was controversy in June, when it was revealed that she owes more than $360,000 in taxes.

The Republicans are quick to pounce on her for that fact. Bishop's campaign spokesman Stu Sandler, announced that Gilbert "can afford to have a stylist for her dog, but cannot pay her taxes. Her values are out of whack with the district," according to freep.

"The truth is I got caught in a perfect storm of financial difficulty, which is why I initiated a conversation with the IRS, told them I was having trouble and together we set up a payment plan," Gilbert said. But when pressed for more details, she refused, adding, "The statement is the statement."