'Little House on the Prairie' Star Melissa Gilbert Drops Out of Congressional Race Citing Health Concerns

By
Getty Images

Melissa Gilbert won't be leaving her Little House on the Prairie for Congress, after all.

The 52-year-old actress, who famously played Laura Ingalls Wilder on the popular TV drama in the '70s and '80s, announced her congressional bid in Michigan in August, but dropped out on Wednesday due to health concerns.

"As many of you know, in 2012 I sustained head and neck injuries from two accidents," she explained on her website. "While I have received the best treatment and therapy I could have asked for, those injuries have only gotten worse."
http://melissa-gilbert.com/


NEWS: Donald Trump Tells Megyn Kelly Campaign Would Be a 'Waste of Time' If He Loses

Those injuries include two herniated discs in her spine resulting from two separate injuries: whiplash and a concussion sustained during a fall on Dancing With the Stars and head and neck injury from a balcony collapsing over her head. She now requires spinal surgery, according to People.

"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. As the only candidate to file enough valid signatures, I plan to vacate the Ballot in accordance with the law," she explained on her site. "Traveling and meeting with folks all over the 8th District has been a life changing and rewarding experience.

"Thank you to everyone who has given me your support over the past few months," Gilbert concluded. "We got as far as we did because of you, and I will treasure that forever."

As for whether she might run again in the future, Gilbert tells People, "I'm too engaged at this point...I will continue on this road of being of service. I won't know where that will take me but I'm not going to rule anything out."

In other election news, ET sat down with Hillary Clinton, who revealed her plans to put a nursery in the White House if she becomes president. Find out what else she said in the video below.