Melissa Gilbert drops congressional bid due to health issues

Melissa Francis on Melissa Gilbert removing breast implants

Reaction to former 'Little House on the Prairie' co-star's decision

Melissa Gilbert, former star of “Little House on the Prairie” and president of the Screen Actors Guild, said that she is dropping her bid for a congressional seat in Michigan.

Gilbert said that injuries she suffered to her head and neck in a 2012 accident have worsened.

“While I have received the best treatment and therapy I could have asked for, those injuries have only gotten worse,” Gilbert said, according to a statement she gave to the Detroit Free Press. “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.”

Democrats had been eyeing the seat as a potential pickup. It is held by Rep. Mike Bishop (R-Mich.).

Gilbert had announced her bid for the 8th congressional district seat last summer, and tapped Hollywood for campaign contributions. She moved to Michigan with her husband, Timothy Busfield, a native of the state. At the time she announced, Republicans almost immediately attacked her over tax liens, although she has said that she was paying it off in installments.

Democratic leaders in the state are expected to move to replace her name on the state’s Aug. 2 primary ballot, according to the Free-Press.

Gilbert was the latest in a line of former SAG presidents who have entered politics, including George Murphy and Ronald Reagan.