Former Little House on the Prairie actress Melissa Gilbert has reportedly dropped out of the race for a congressional seat in Michigan.
Gilbert was vying for the seat as a Democrat but said that injuries she suffered in 2012 forced her to step down, according to the Detroit Free Press. Gilbert sustained injuries to her head and neck in accidents during that year, which have worsened in recent months.
“While I have received the best treatment and therapy I could have asked for, those injuries have only gotten worse,” Gilbert said in a statement obtained by the publication. “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.”
Gilbert will drop out of the race in order to give the state’s Democratic party the ability to replace her on the November ballot ahead of the general election. The publication noted that her decision will likely give a boost to Republican incumbent Mike Bishop to be reelected.
“I wish her the best and hope her health improves. I plan on continuing my campaign and talking to voters about solutions to help this country move forward,” he said in a statement.
Coins2Day has reached out to Gilbert’s campaign for comment and will update this post if we hear back.
