A north-east MSP is backing Transport Minister Keith Brown to become the next deputy leader of the SNP.
Mark McDonald, who represents Aberdeen Donside, said his party colleague was the “best choice” for the job.
Voting is underway and party members have until November 12 to decide between Mr Brown, who is MSP for Clackmannanshire and Dunblane, or one of the other candidates – cabinet secretary for training, youth and women’s employment Angela Constance and Dundee East MP Stewart Hosie.
The result will be announced on November 14 at the SNP autumn conference in Perth.
Nicola Sturgeon will be elected, unopposed, to replace Alex Salmond as party leader and first minister.
Mr McDonald said the party needed the “strongest leadership team” possible to ensure Holyrood secures meaningful new powers.
“Keith is the best choice for the job,” he said.
“He has shown himself to be an exceptional minister and having worked with him on local issues in my constituency I have seen how well he relates to members of the public in his role.
“As deputy to Nicola Sturgeon we will need someone who can forge a close working relationship, complement her in terms of personality and style, and be the sort of person who can be depended upon at all times.
“Keith has demonstrated in his time as a minister working within Nicola’s team that he has all of these qualities.”