Melissa Gilbert drops out of race for Congress [View all]

[LovingA2andMI]

"WASHINGTON — Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert is dropping out of the race for a congressional seat in Michigan, citing advice from her doctors.

Gilbert made the announcement through a statement issued by her campaign shortly after a report by WDIV-TV, Detroit, on Tuesday evening that she intended to leave the race, and a Detroit Free Press report that Democratic members of Michigan's congressional delegation had been told Tuesday about Gilbert's impending decision.

In her statement, Gilbert said injuries to her head and neck sustained in accidents in 2012 had worsened, forcing her from the race and denying Democrats what may have been their best chance to pick up what has been a reliably Republican district in recent years.

"While I have received the best treatment and therapy I could have asked for, those injuries have only gotten worse," said Gilbert. "As much as it breaks my heart to say this, my doctors have told me I am physically unable to continue my run for Congress."

Earlier Tuesday, as rumors swirled about the possibility of Gilbert abandoning the race, state elections director Chris Thomas said even if she dropped out, her name would, at this date, remain on the Aug. 2 primary ballot — and probably be the only Democrat on it."

http://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2016/05/25/melissa-gilbert-out-race-congress/84897172/

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