Eilidh Whiteford MP will defend her Banff and Buchan constituency at the UK general election after she was chosen to contest the seat once again by the SNP.
The sole nominee, Ms Whiteford was unanimously selected by the party’s branches in the north-east.
It will be a second election battle for Ms Whiteford since she succeeded Alex Salmond as Banff And Buchan MP in 2010.
She said: “I’m very proud to have been selected once again by the local SNP as their candidate.
“Locally, the party goes into this campaign in better heart and better resourced than ever before.
“With a huge increase in membership during the last four months and with roots in all parts of this wonderful constituency the SNP is relishing this campaign.
“I will be standing on my record of speaking up for my constituents, be that at Westminster or in my approaches on their behalf to public bodies, and on seeking to secure the best deal from government, be that at Westminster, Scottish or local level, for Banff and Buchan.”
Ms Whiteford, who is married to Aberdeenshire SNP councillor Stephen Smith, added that if the party was as successful as recent opinion polls suggest it will be, it could “possibly hold the balance of power” at Westminister.
Banff and Buchan has been an SNP seat since 1987 when former first minister Mr Salmond beat the Conservative incumbent Sir Albert McQuarrie.
Ms Whiteford succeeded Mr Salmond in 2010, however the SNP share of the vote fell below 50% for the first time since 1992 due to a strong Conservative challenge.
The Tory candidate was popular Peterhead fisherman Jimmy Buchan, who came second with 31% of the vote.