Shields ending Missouri State Senate campaign citing long-term health

(ST. JOSEPH, Mo.) A current member of the Missouri House of Representatives has announced she is ending her campaign for a Missouri State Senate seat. 

On Tuesday, Representative Brenda Shields, R-St. Joseph, sent out a letter to supporters that said she is ending her senate campaign because of her long-term health outlook. 

In 2016, Shields suffered a hemorrhagic stroke (brain bleed), and made a full recovery. In 2020, she was diagnosed with a damaged heart valve. She has maintained a full and active personal and professional life ever since. 

However, this week, Shields learned that she will be needing cardiac surgery in the next month. 

In her letter, Shields said that her neurologist said that she has additional risk factors for a stroke. 

Shields was told that she is expected to make a full recovery, but said serving in the Missouri Senate would add risk factors that "are not in the long-term best interest of my health."

The Missouri House Representative added that she did think about pushing through the campaign, but "after reflection and prayer, it became very clear my family should be my first priority." 

Shields' first grandchild was born 15 months ago and she said that "not having the opportunity to see him grow up is a risk I am simply not willing to take."

Shields will continue to serve out her term in the Missouri House of Representatives and said that she will be ready for the General Assembly in January. 

She was running for 34th Senatorial District seat that is being held by Sen. Tony Luetkemeyer, R-Buchanan/Platte County, who is termed out following this term.