Kitimat resident Danny Nunes, AKA The Kool-Aid Man, has withdrawn from both the Terrace and Kitimat mayoral races.
Speaking this morning, Nunes said he has accomplished his goal of encouraging young people to take part in the electoral process.
“Judging from the reaction I got from social media and emails and the stories, there’s really no reason to carry on,” said Nunes who had been an official candidate in both municipal elections when nominations closed last Friday.
Nunes, a comedy writer and performer, has withdrawn in writing from the Kitimat election and says he’ll do so by Wednesday this week in Terrace.
Dressed in a colourful Kool Aid Man costume, Nunes had been campaigning in both cities. Nunes’ withdrawal now means incumbent Terrace mayor Carol Leclerc will serve a second term by acclamation and in Kitimat incumbent mayor Phil Germuth faces just one challenger, Dave Johnston.
“I really don’t want to brag, but part of me thinks I could have gone on to win,” Nunes said of his Terrace chances. “I honestly believe that.”
“I don’t know, though, what Carol [Leclerc] would have thought about losing to a guy in costume.”
Nunes said he was better-received in Terrace than in his hometown.
Nunes said his abortive mayoral efforts should not be intended as disrespecting elected office.
“Just look at who the leader of the Free World is and now [Premier Doug] Ford in Ontario,” he said.