The comedian said he did not want the job but entered the race because he told a room of people he would. Video / Instagram / @jamaine_ross
Television producer Jamaine Ross’ comical message to Waitākere Ranges residents to avoid his name in the ballot box seems to have paid off.
“Don’t vote for me,” Ross wrote in his candidate statement to West Auckland voters.
The father, husband and television producer was standing for the Waitākere Ranges LocalBoard – not because he wanted the job, but because he told a room of 30 people he would.
Jamaine Ross. Photo / Supplied
“And when I say I’m going to do something, I do it, even if I don’t want to,” he wrote in his candidate statement to West Auckland voters.
“I’m very nervous. I cannot express how much I do not want to win or have any positive progress.”
After reading the number of votes out, he yells, “too many votes”, before checking on the council’s website where he ranked among other candidates.
“Thank god my name is not in the top six. Oh thank god I am so low down the list. This is crazy. Oh God. I am so relieved. I am second to the bottom... I’m second to last. I have not been happier to be a loser in my entire life. Thank you so much, all of you who didn’t vote for me. I’m so happy.”
He closed with a final plea: “So don’t vote for me. This isn’t reverse psychology. I’m serious. Don’t vote for me. I don’t want this job.”
Yet on social media, Ross did reveal a hint of political seriousness, noting there were five candidate meetings – four he wasn’t invited to and one where he says he was ghosted.
“It seems a bit suspicious. Are they purposefully excluding the only Māori candidate out of 20? Probably not. They are probably just excluding the one guy who consistently says he doesn’t want to do the job.”
Fellow Waitākere Ranges local board candidate Bianca O’Keefe, 18, was one of the youngest candidates running for local election. Photo / Michael O'Keefe.
