Who was Mark Shields, columnist and political commentator dead at 85?

Mark Shields, columnist and political commentator who appeared on “PBS NewsHour” for decades, died from kidney failure at his Maryland home on Saturday morning. He was 85.

Shields was a native of Weymouth, Massachusetts. He graduated from the University of Notre Dame and served in the US Marine Corps before beginning his career as a legislative assistant and speechwriter for Wisconsin Sen. William Proxmire in 1965.

In 1969, Shields joined New York Sen. Robert F. Kennedy’s presidential campaign. After working on a number of campaigns, he began writing a column at The Washington Post in 1979.

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Shields appeared on CNN’s “Capital Gang” as a moderator and panelist from 1988 to 2005. He was also a regular panelist on “Inside Washington” from 2005 until 2013. 

The 84-year-old was a regular on PBS NewsHour starting in 1987, the year the show began. He stepped down from his regular Friday night discussion segment in December 2020.

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Following his death, several of his colleagues and friends took to social media to pay tributes. 

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.”

“PBS NewsHour” Chief Correspondent Amna Nawaz tweeted, “Truly one of a kind. Mark’s intellect, wit, and heart were unmatched. I left every single conversation I ever had with him smarter and smiling.”

“I am heartbroken to share this..the @NewsHour’s beloved long-time Friday night analyst Mark Shields, who for decades wowed us with his encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart, has passed away at 85, with his wife Anne at his side,” Judy Woodruff, anchor and managing editor of PBS NewsHour, tweeted.