Melissa Gilbert v Gerry Mandering in Michigan [View all]

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Nov. 4 2015 03:35 PM
8th District campaign
Bishop vs. Gilbert race rated an eyecatcher in Michigan
By Kyle Melinn

The way Mark Grebner of Practical Political Consultants sees it, Democrats have the same lethal attraction to Michigan's 8th Congressional District as moths do to candles.

The closer they get, the more likely they are to get burned.

Ingham County's congressional district isn't like the one Democrat Debbie Stabenow won in 1997. [font color=darkred]Republican-led legislatures have redrawn the 8th Congressional District into a 30-yard head start for their nominee[/font], meaning only an appealing candidate running under appealing circumstances have a shot.

Actress Melissa Gilbert may be that right person in the right place. Michigan Democrats have the 8th Congressional District among the top 3 they're watching in Michigan, and it could move up considering how well Gilbert catches in her first bid for public office.

Known for playing Laura Ingalls Wilder on NBC's “Little House on the Prairie” from 1973-1983, the 51-year-old Los Angeles native moved to Livingston County in 2013 with her new husband, East Lansing native and actor Timothy Busfield.

Last year, she was visible in Mark Schauer's gubernatorial campaign, giving the Democrat $1,000, filming a "public service segment" for him and showing up at a Flint campaign stop.

The political activity comes after the Los Angeles-born Gilbert served as president of the 100,000-member Screen Actors Guild from 2001 to 2005, earning her a spot on the national AFL-CIO Executive Council. Her visibility isn't unusual either.

Gilbert and Busfield quickly embraced their roles as Howell's resident celebrities — serving as grand marshals to the 2014 "Fantasy of Lights Parade" and promoting local small business through her book, "My Prairie Cookbook." ...

http://lansingcitypulse.com/article-12336-8th-District-campaign.html