Melissa Gilbert Is Running for Congress

— -- Melissa Gilbert is running for Congress.

The former "Little House on the Prairie" actress is running as a Democrat in Michigan's 8th district, a representative for the Michigan Democratic Party confirmed to ABC News.

"I’m running for Congress to make life a little easier for all the families who feel they have fallen through the cracks in today’s economy," she wrote on her campaign website. "I believe building a new economy is a team effort, and we need to bring fresh voices to the table to get the job done."

Gilbert, 51, who is "particularly attuned to issues confronting women, children and families," according to a press release from the Democratic Party, will be running against against the incumbent, Republican Mike Bishop. The actress lives in Livingston County with her husband of two years, actor and Michigan native Timothy Busfield.

This is her first run for public office.