‘Little House’ Star Ends Race for a Seat in the Big House

Melissa Gilbert (D), known for her role as Laura Ingalls in the 1974 to 1983 television series ‘Little House on the Prairie’ and former president of the Screen Actors Guild (SAG), has halted her bid for Congress in the 8th Congressional District in Michigan.

Regarding her departure, Ms. Gilbert stated, “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.”  (In 2012, she had two head injuries – a horrific fall as a contestant on ‘Dancing with the Stars’ and when a balcony fell on her at her rented house.)  This may be true, I do not know.  However, I am curious about it.  Her polling numbers were low.  I do not doubt that her doctors advised her to leave the campaign, but I do wonder if she would have taken their advice if her poll numbers had been higher.  It is not appropriate for me to make any assumptions and, if her symptoms did get bad enough to be the reason she left the race, I wish her the best.

Currently, the Democrats do not have any candidate to take her place in the election against former State Senate majority leader and first term incumbent Mike Bishop (R).  Regarding her departure, Sen. Bishop, who polls show is likely to will re-election, stated, “I wish her the best and hope her health improves.”

Two (Disabled) Candidates Battle for Illinois Senate Seat

This is unexpected, and long overdue, news in this country: Two disabled candidates are currently in a fight for a Senate seat in Illinois.  Senator Mark Kirk (R), who in 2012 suffered a stroke, and Representative Tammy Duckworth (D), who lost both of her lower limbs when her plane was shot down in Iraq, are currently in a fight for the Illinois Senate seat formerly held by Barack Obama.  However, just like many female politicians are not specifically looking for the “woman vote”, it may not be a negative that both of these candidates have a disability.  A disability is not a call for pity and, because both of them live with their respective disabilities, their constituents can vote on what’s really important – their politics!