“Eric Zahnd deserves to be reelected as Platte County Prosecutor,” Shields said. “Eric is not only a leader in the fight against crimes that occur in Platte County, he has helped me--and other legislators-- make our state safer by passing new laws to get tough on drunk drivers and sexual predators.”

Shields said Zahnd helped write the bill that passed last year to crack down on repeat DWI offenders. And he said Zahnd has championed Jessica’s Law this year to put child sex offenders behind bars, including those who use the Internet to lure children.

“Eric Zahnd worked with me for two years to pass tougher drunk driving laws,” Shields said. “He showed me the loopholes in the DWI laws and then helped me write the law to close those loopholes. Without his hard work and dedication, I know we would not have passed this new law.”

Shields sponsored Senate Bill 356 during the 2005 legislative session. The bill passed during the last week of the session after Zahnd and Louis and Sheri Calandrino, the parents of a Platte County teen killed by a repeat DWI offender, appeared with Shields in Jefferson City to support its passage.

The bill increased the penalties for repeat DWI offenders and eliminated the 10-year limit for using past alcohol-related incidents to enhance a DWI to a felony.

Shields said that this year, Zahnd has helped the legislature draft key provisions of Jessica’s Law, the bill named after the Florida girl raped and killed by a repeat sex offender.

“My colleagues in the legislature and I intend to get tough on sex offenders, and we need the help of prosecutors who deal with these cases every day,” Shields says. “Eric Zahnd and a small number of other prosecutors across the state have become important advocates as we work to pass this vital legislation.”

Shields said Zahnd has been especially helpful in writing the portion of the bill that increases penalties against Internet predators.

“The work of Eric Zahnd and Sheriff Richard Anderson with Platte County’s Cyber Crimes Unit has become a model in the state,” Shields said. “Eric and Dick have become invaluable resources for making sure our laws allow them--and other law enforcement officers all over Missouri--to get tough on criminals who try to use the Internet to prey on our kids.”

In the end, Shields said, the key reason he supports Zahnd’s reelection is Zahnd’s passion for his job.

“I knew Eric Zahnd before he became prosecutor, and I have gotten to know him better over the past several years,” Shields said. “You only need to be around Eric for a few minutes to know how passionately he feels about his doing his duty, especially when it comes to protecting children. I believe he is a tough prosecutor because he cares so deeply about children and families.”

Zahnd is running for reelection as a Republican in the August 8 primary.