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Gilbert will try to remove name from ballot following primary win

Melissa Gilbert
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Actor Melissa Gilbert has won the Democratic nomination to run in Michigan’s Eighth Congressional District – but no longer wants it.

Gilbert’s campaign to unseat Republican incumbent Mike Rogers has struggled from the beginning. But Gilbert says she wants off the ballot for health reasons, and plans to provide a doctor’s note that she’s not fit to run or to serve if elected.

Sarah Anderson of the Michigan Republican Party says the GOP has hired lawyers.

“Somebody declaring for office, raising money for office, running for office, and then      deciding they are physically incapable? There’s a not a precedent for that in our state.”

And it’s true, this is uncharted territory. State law does allow a nominee to withdraw for health reasons, but does not say how that’s supposed to work.  Democrats hope to replace Gilbert on the ballot with newcomer Suzanna Shkreli.