Moira Zinn, once a Democratic candidate for Hays County Commissioner in Precinct 4, left the campaign trail without so much as a goodbye.
Zinn publicly announced her candidacy on Thursday, Dec. 9, challenging incumbent Walt Smith’s re-election campaign. Her platform was built around the importance of reasonable conversations to society, presenting a middle ground that supported fiscal conservancy and social liberalism. Less than two weeks after her announcement, all traces of her campaign disappeared.
No press release for Zinn’s withdrawal was sent out. Her campaign website, moirazinn.com, was listed as private, and all campaign posts were removed from her social media pages (@moira.zinn)
“I’ve withdrawn from the campaign,” was all Zinn said when asked for comment.
Records from the Hays County website indicate her sudden departure may have been related to an issu with the county’s recent redistricting.
Zinn’s initial campaign paperwork listed her mailing address on McGregor Lane, according to a form received by the county on Friday, Dec. 3. Prior to Hays County’s redistricting, the street was a part of Commissioner Precinct 4. But after the adoption of a new precinct map on Tuesday, Nov. 9, McGregor Lane became a part of Commissioner Precinct 3, taking Zinn’s mailing address out of the precinct she ran for.
Comments on Zinn’s Facebook page pointed out the issue, according to screenshots obtained by the Century News.
An amendment to the form — filed Monday, Dec. 13 — changed Zinn’s mailing address to a P.O. Box in downtown Dripping Springs, well within the boundaries of Commissioner Precinct 4.
Less than a week later, Zinn withdrew, leaving incumbent Walt Smith and challengers Joe Bateman and Susan Cook to finish out the rest of the election season.
For more on voting and Hays County elections, visit hayscountytx.com/ departments/elections.
