State Rep. Brenda Shields shares decision to end Missouri Senate campaign

ST. JOSEPH, Mo. (News-Press NOW) -- When State Rep. Brenda Shields (R-St. Joseph) announced her decision to end her campaign for Missouri's 34th Senate district on Wednesday, it generated plenty of attention.

The attention came as a surprise to Shields, who didn't think her announcement would make waves among her supporters in the way it did.

"I'm just humbled. And I just didn't expect the outpouring of support I've heard from people that I haven't heard from in 40 years that reached out to me," Shields said. "My heart is really warm over that. I can't thank the people of St. Joseph and the community enough for caring so much."

In a statement made to her supporters, she detailed her main reasons for withdrawing were to recover from an upcoming cardiac surgery and to mitigate potential stroke-related complications.

"I will say for everyone, it's really important to visit your doctor on a yearly basis," Shields said. "We've known my history. I have visited my doctor yearly and nothing had changed until this year...This is what's creating the need to have immediate heart surgery, as well as what we now know what's happening with my stroke risk."

She also noted that her first grandson was born within the past year and she wanted to see him grow.

Before all is said and done, Shields hopes to accomplish one more goal by the end of the year by creating affordable, safe and reliable childcare for families.