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Melissa Gilbert announces bid for Michigan congressional district | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
From the Little House to the House of Representatives: Melissa Gilbert, the actress best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the long-running series Little House on the Prairie, says she is running for US Congress. | From the Little House to the House of Representatives: Melissa Gilbert, the actress best known for her role as Laura Ingalls Wilder in the long-running series Little House on the Prairie, says she is running for US Congress. |
And while the quips are easy when discussing Gilbert’s political aspirations to run for Congress – as a Democrat – in a solidly, safely Republican district, her presumptive opponent already takes her serious enough to call her a “tax cheat”, highlighting a recent financial woe the actress dealt with this year. | And while the quips are easy when discussing Gilbert’s political aspirations to run for Congress – as a Democrat – in a solidly, safely Republican district, her presumptive opponent already takes her serious enough to call her a “tax cheat”, highlighting a recent financial woe the actress dealt with this year. |
Gilbert, 51, announced her inaugural bid for political office on her campaign website on Monday. She moved to the city of Howell, Michigan – in the state’s eighth district – in 2013, after marrying actor Timothy Busfield. | Gilbert, 51, announced her inaugural bid for political office on her campaign website on Monday. She moved to the city of Howell, Michigan – in the state’s eighth district – in 2013, after marrying actor Timothy Busfield. |
“Here in Michigan, I know people are doing their best to make a good life for themselves and their families,” Gilbert said in a statement. “When it comes down to it, I think that’s what we all really want.” | “Here in Michigan, I know people are doing their best to make a good life for themselves and their families,” Gilbert said in a statement. “When it comes down to it, I think that’s what we all really want.” |
She continued: “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.” | She continued: “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 former Dancing with the Stars contestant envisioned a new economy that’s built by “fresh voices”. | The former Dancing with the Stars contestant envisioned a new economy that’s built by “fresh voices”. |
If she prevails in next fall’s primary election, Gilbert will likely face Republican representative Mike Bishop, whose campaign immediately shot back Monday against the novice politician, calling her a “tax cheat”. | If she prevails in next fall’s primary election, Gilbert will likely face Republican representative Mike Bishop, whose campaign immediately shot back Monday against the novice politician, calling her a “tax cheat”. |
In February the IRS filed a tax lien against the actress, claiming she owes $360,000 in federal income taxes. Gilbert’s campaign couldn’t be immediately reached for comment. | In February the IRS filed a tax lien against the actress, claiming she owes $360,000 in federal income taxes. Gilbert’s campaign couldn’t be immediately reached for comment. |
“Hollywood actress and IRS tax cheat Melissa Gilbert owes hundreds of thousands to the IRS and wants to get a government paycheck,” said Bishop campaign spokesperson Stu Sandler in a statement. “Melissa Gilbert can afford to have a stylist for her dog, but cannot pay her taxes. Her values are out of whack with the district.” Gilbert has said she worked out a payment plan with the IRS. | “Hollywood actress and IRS tax cheat Melissa Gilbert owes hundreds of thousands to the IRS and wants to get a government paycheck,” said Bishop campaign spokesperson Stu Sandler in a statement. “Melissa Gilbert can afford to have a stylist for her dog, but cannot pay her taxes. Her values are out of whack with the district.” Gilbert has said she worked out a payment plan with the IRS. |
The California native lives with former West Wing actor Busfield in a district that’s typically a Republican stronghold. Last year Bishop soundly defeated his Democratic party opponent in the race to fill outgoing Republican representative Mike Rogers’ seat, by a 12-point margin. | The California native lives with former West Wing actor Busfield in a district that’s typically a Republican stronghold. Last year Bishop soundly defeated his Democratic party opponent in the race to fill outgoing Republican representative Mike Rogers’ seat, by a 12-point margin. |
Gilbert, a California native, began acting when she was two years old. She served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, which represents hundreds of thousands of individuals, between 2001-2005. She has also authored several books, including the recently published My Prairie Cookbook. | Gilbert, a California native, began acting when she was two years old. She served as president of the Screen Actors Guild, which represents hundreds of thousands of individuals, between 2001-2005. She has also authored several books, including the recently published My Prairie Cookbook. |
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