Luke Gulbranson, a former star of Bravo TV's "Summer House," has announced a run for Congress in Minnesota, while Republican candidate Tyler Kistner withdrew from the same race due to a Middle East military deployment.

Gulbranson is seeking to unseat a Republican congressman in rural Minnesota, marking an unusual entry into politics for the reality television personality.

Meanwhile, Kistner announced Wednesday that he is dropping out of the race for Minnesota's 2nd Congressional District seat currently held by Rep. Angie Craig. Kistner cited his upcoming Middle East deployment as the reason for his withdrawal from the campaign.

Kistner has previously mounted unsuccessful challenges against Craig, running in both 2020 and 2022. In those races, he came within single digits of defeating the incumbent Democrat, demonstrating competitive performance in the district.

The Republican had been preparing for another campaign attempt in 2026 as Craig vacates her seat. His withdrawal creates an opening in the Republican field for the competitive district.

The developments highlight the shifting dynamics in Minnesota congressional races, with both a celebrity candidate entering the field and an established political figure stepping aside due to military obligations.