Actress, director, Dancing with the Stars contestant and now 2016 Democratic candidate for Michigan's 8th congressional district. That's one impressive resume, Melissa Gilbert! Of Little House on the Prairie fame, Gilbert stole headlines this week when she announced her candidacy for the upcoming election.
Excited to announce my run for U.S. Congress in Michigan's 8th. Please join me in my fight for working families. http://t.co/WTUEZukVeX
— Melissa Gilbert (@GilbertforMI) August 10, 2015
Refusing to join the next 'Where are they now?' list, the 51-year-old is running for a three-county seat which covers Detroit's northern suburbs to Lansing, currently held by Republican Mike Bishop.
Gilbert stated she's running for families who feel left out of the modern economy. Her biggest challenge will be her $360,000 in unpaid income taxes, for which she says she has negotiated a payment plan.
Immediately following Gilbert's announcement, Twitter was flooded with an outpouring of support from both fans and citizens of Michigan's 8th District, which you can check out below.
That moment your favourite childhood hero is running for Congress and you wish you weren't Canadian. @GilbertforMI
— Reflective Joy (@ReflectiveJoy) August 11, 2015
.@GilbertforMI Glad to see you running for congress. MI needs #gunsense. You can bring it. #MomsDemand #NotOneMore
— Julia Chester (@chester_julia) August 11, 2015
@GilbertforMI Good luck. We need more strong female democrats in DC! Big fan and supporter here.
— David Dotson (@Informed_16) August 11, 2015
@HuffPostPol @GilbertforMI Best of luck, Melissa! I'll be rooting for you. We need the Democrats to make a resurgence in Michigan!!
— Barbara Marowski (@passionate4ever) August 11, 2015
@GilbertforMI You're a great role model - go get them in Congress!!!!
— B. L. S. (@Liza_DeadHead) August 11, 2015
Oh my gosh, I give you a ton of credit. Good luck! It is a great state. @GilbertforMI
— Helena (@marketalace) August 11, 2015