Democrats Want to Replace Melissa Gilbert on 8th District Ballot

Rochester, MI — Political newcomer Suzanna Shkreli, of Clarkston, an assistant Macomb County prosecutor, could replace former Democratic 8th Congressional District Melissa Gilbert on the Nov. 8 general election ballot — unless incumbent U.S. Rep. Mike Bishop, R-Rochester, is able to thwart the effort.

Gilbert, the child star who portrayed Laura Ingalls Wilder on “Little House on the Prairie,” abruptly withdrew from the race in May, citing pain from a years-old neck and head injuries.

According to multiple media reports, the state party and Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee both support Shkreli, 29, Wednesday as Gilbert’s replacement on the ballot. The 8th District includes all of Livingston and Ingham counties, and parts of northern Oakland County.

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Though a political unknown, Shkreli has prosecuted child physical and sexual abuse crimes for the past six years as an assistant to Macomb County Prosecutor Eric Smith. The daughter of Albanian immigrants to the United States from Montenegro, attended Oakland University and the Thomas M. Cooley Law School before joining Smith’s office.

“I’m not a career politician,” Shkreli said Tuesday. “I’m in the courtroom every day, trying to protect our children from dangerous predators.”

Gilbert’s name will still appear on the Aug. 2 primary ballot, and Bishop wants to make sure it’s on the general election ballot as well. Another Democratic primary candidate was disqualified for failing to meet signature requirements on the nomination petition.

Democrats are looking for authority to remove Gilbert’s name from the Nov. 8 ballot in a vague, rarely used statute.

Bishop, a first-term congressman elected in 2014 and a former majority leader in the state Senate, told The Detroit News last month that removing Gilbert’s name from the ballot and replacing it with a new candidate sets a “dangerous precedent.” He has asked and expects Secretary of State Ruth Johnson, also a Republican to “reject it immediately.”

A decision by Johnson’s office isn’t expected until after next month’s primary.

Even if she makes it on the ballot, Shkreli lacks Gilbert’s star power and may have trouble tapping into generous celebrity donors who backed the actress in the traditionally Republican congressional district.

In an interview with the Detroit Free Press, Shkreli said party affiliations may not matter as much as they have in past elections.

“I think this election is different,” she said. “It’s a different year. … I’m not focused on how it (the district) leans (politically), I’m focused on getting out there and talking to voters.”

In a statement, the Michigan Democratic Party said:

“Suzanna is a leader, plain and simple — she’s taken on tough fights in the courtroom, she’s a strong victims’ rights advocate, and as part of Emerge Michigan’s program to encourage more women to run for public office, she’s leading the charge for equality. Most importantly, she fights for Michigan’s children and families, not for Donald Trump and GOP mega donors, like her opponent Mike Bishop has done with his time in Washington.”

Photo: Democratic Congressional Campaign Committe