‘NewsHour’ political expert Shields dies in Md. at 85

Political analyst Mark Shields, best known for his decadeslong stint on “PBS NewsHour,” died Saturday at his home in Maryland.

Shields was 85 and died of kidney failure.

Judy Woodruff, the anchor and managing editor of “NewsHour,” confirmed his death in a tweet that also praised his “encyclopedic knowledge of American politics, his sense of humor and mainly his big heart.”

“I am heartbroken,” she said.

Shields, a native of Weymouth, Mass., graduated from the University of Notre Dame in 1959 and then went on to serve in the Marine Corps.

He initially kicked off a career in politics and government in the mid-1960s, starting off as a legislative assistant and speechwriter for Sen. William Proxmire and later for Robert Kennedy’s 1968 presidential campaign.

He shifted into journalism with a job with the Washington Post’s editorial staff in 1979. The following year, he launched a column that would go on to be syndicated in publications nationwide.

Shields joined PBS in 1988, where for decades he sparred with his conservative counterparts while wowing viewers with his quick wit and vast knowledge.

“Mark’s intellect, wit, and heart were unmatched,” tweeted Amna Nawaz, chief correspondent for “PBS NewsHour.”

Fellow journalists paid tribute to Shields on Saturday, praising not only his journalistic acumen but also his kind demeanor.

“I’m so sad to hear about the passing of Mark Shields,” tweeted Yamiche Alcindor, anchor and moderator of “Washington Week” on PBS. “He provided decades of stellar and poignant political analysis. And, he was such a great colleague and welcoming soul.”

John Dickerson of CBS News described Shields as “a dear, sweet, sweet man. You always felt better after seeing him.”