Political commentator and columnist Mark Shields dies at 85

CHEVY CHASE, Md. (AP) - Political commentator and columnist Mark Shields, who shared his insight into American politics and wit on 'œPBS NewsHour'ť for decades, died Saturday. He was 85.

Shields died at his Chevy Chase, Maryland, home, from kidney failure, 'œPBS NewsHour'ť spokesman Nick Massella said.

Shields was a regular on the show starting in 1987, the year the show began, and stepped down from his regular Friday night discussion segment in December 2020. He had collaborated with David Brooks since 2001 to provide analysis and commentary in their weekly Shields & Brooks segment and during election specials and conventions and before that with David Gergen and Paul Gigot, according to 'œPBS NewsHour.'ť His tenure there spanned six presidencies.

Brooks tweeted his 2020 tribute to Shields in The New York Times, calling it 'œan attempt to capture one of the finest and beloved men'ť he had ever known.

'œWe've had thousands of disagreements over the years, but never a second of acrimony,'ť Brooks wrote in the piece. 'œMark radiates a generosity of spirit that improves all who come within his light.'ť

Judy Woodruff, 'œPBS NewsHour'ť anchor and managing editor, tweeted that she was 'ťheartbroken" to share the news and noted Sheilds' wife Anne was at his side at his death.

'œMark Shields had a magical combination of talents: an unsurpassed knowledge of politics and a passion, joy, and irrepressible humor that shone through in all his work," Woodruff said in a statement. "He loved most politicians, but could spot a phony and was always bold to call out injustice. Along with Jim Lehrer and Robin MacNeil, he personified all that's special in the PBS NewsHour.'œ

For decades, she said, Shields 'œwowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart."

The Weymouth, Massachusetts, native graduated from the University of Notre Dame and served in the U.S. Marine Corps, according to 'œPBS NewsHour.'ť He began his career in Washington as a legislative assistant and speechwriter for Wisconsin Sen. William Proxmire in 1965, according to 'œPBS NewsHour.'ť Three years later, Shields joined New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy's presidential campaign and later worked on numerous campaigns. In 1979, he began writing a column at The Washington Post that was later distributed by Creators Syndicate.

Shields was a moderator and panelist on CNN's 'œCapital Gang'ť from 1988 to 2005 and a regular panelist on 'œInside Washington,'ť which aired on PBS and ABC, from 2005 until 2013. He also wrote 'œOn the Campaign Trail,'ť an account of the 1984 presidential campaign.

Niece Carolyn Ryan, managing editor of The New York Times, tweeted: "So sad to tell you that my uncle, Mark Shields, died this morning. He was a special guy: full of heart and wisdom and love. Love of politics, sports, and so many people.'ť

Knowing and working with Shields was a privilege, 'œPBS NewsHour'ť Chief Correspondent Amna Nawaz tweeted.

'œTruly one of a kind. Mark's intellect, wit, and heart were unmatched,'ť she wrote. 'œI left every single conversation I ever had with him smarter and smiling.'ť