SNP leadership race: Who will replace Nicola Sturgeon? Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf, and Ash Regan remain in the contest

The First Minister of ScotlandNicola Sturgeon has announced she is standing down and three candidates are now in the running to replace her.

On Monday (February 20), the three SNP members to declare were Kate Forbes, Humza Yousaf, and Ash Regan.

Here is what we know about them.

Kate Forbes

Kate Forbes is the favourite to replace Nicola Sturgeon as SNP leader (Jane Barlow / PA)

The current Secretary for Finance and Economy and a Gaelic-speaker, Kate Forbes was elected to Parliament in 2016 and is currently on maternity leave after giving birth to her first child.

In 2020, the 32-year-old Cabinet Secretary for Finance became the first woman to deliver the Scottish government’s budget, just hours after her predecessor, Derek Mackay, quit.

She would be the youngest SNP leader if she won. Her odds are currently 11/2 with William Hill.

Humza Yousaf

Humza Yousaf is in the running (Andrew Milligan / PA Wire)

The 37-year-old Health Secretary is also in the running. He took over the country’s response to the Covid crisis.

He was appointed in May 2021 and was the youngest MSP elected to the Scottish Parliament at age 26.

He has served in numerous roles and, in 2018, he was appointed as Cabinet Secretary for Justice. He introduced the Hate Crime Bill, which caused controversy among opposition parties.

William Hill is currently giving him odds of 10/1 .

Ash Regan

Former SNP minister Ash Regan (PA Wire)

A former minister and occasional party rebel, Ms Regan confirmed on Monday she was putting herself forward.

“We need to bring back unity, draw a line under certain things, and move past them,” she told the Sunday Mail about the recent Gender Recognition Reform (Scotland) Bill which she opposed.

“I believe I am the person to do that. The electorate expect the Scottish Government to focus on things that are important to them.”

William Hill is offering odds of 10/1.