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Little House on the Prairie Alum Melissa Gilbert Running for Congress in Michigan

Melissa Gilbert
Melissa Gilbert is running for Congress -- read her statement

Melissa Gilbert is trading in scripts for votes. The Little House on the Prairie alum, 51, announced on Monday, Aug. 10, that she’s running for Congress in Michigan.

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"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," Gilbert said in a statement on her website. "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."

The actress, who has no political background and is from California, is running against Republican Rep. Mike Bishop for a spot in Michigan’s 8th District.

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According to the Detroit Free Press, Gilbert faces a few challenges — the district is largely Republican and she allegedly owes more than $360,000 in back taxes to the IRS.

Bishop’s campaign spokesman Stu Sandler was quick to point out her financial issues. “Can afford to have a stylist for her dog, but cannot pay her taxes. Her values are out of whack with the district,” the Detroit Free Press reports Sandler said via a statement. 

Gilbert resides in Livingston County with her husband, fellow actor Timothy Busfield.

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