Marco Biagi has pulled out of the race to be the SNP's National Secretary, saying his failure to be selected as the party's candidate in Edinburgh Central means he no longer has the time to do the job properly.
He had been one of the frontrunners for the important internal position.
The incumbent, Angus MacLeod, revealed last month that he wasn't seeking re-election. His time in charge has been dogged by controversy.
Others to throw their hat into the ring include former government minister Stewart Stevenson, David Henry, who has launched a legal action over the controversial "dual mandate" rule, east Lothian activist Morgwyn Davies, Highland councillor Kirsteen Currie, and well known activist Lorna Finn.
Taking to social media to announce that he would no longer be standing for the post, Biagi endorsed Finn.
He said: "I'm endorsing the excellent @LornaFinn for National Secretary. She knows what needs to change and she'd be a much needed breath of fresh air in the role."
Biagi added: "I'm having to withdraw from the election myself. Not being selected means instead of being able to devote myself to the party for the next few months, I'll need to find some gainful employment. I therefore can't guarantee the time needed for the volunteer post of NatSec any more.
"Given what I said when I launched, the last thing I'd want to risk is getting in and not having the time to answer all your emails! Holding a national office in a political party is also incompatible with a lot of other types of work."
Biagi lost out to Angus Robertson in the battle to be the SNP's candidate. According to figures he released on his social media, he took 248 votes to Robertson's 294.
Finn welcomed Biagi's endorsement.
She told The National: "Like many I am sad to see that we won’t see Marco in Holyrood this time. He is an absolute stalwart of the movement and you will struggle to find a more astute mind dedicated to the independence cause.
“I am honoured to have his endorsement for the role of National Secretary of the SNP. His own campaign was built on a solid foundation of reforms to take our party forward. A number of those visions align very closely with my own.
"Particularly changes which put our members right at the heart of our decision making and policy formation as a party. Our membership are the driving force behind our success and without them we would not be within touching distance of independence."
“I am looking forward to speaking to SNP members in the coming days and weeks before our National Conference and sharing these ideas with them.”
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