THREE candidates are so far in the running to lead the SNP following the resignation of Nicola Sturgeon.

Finance Secretary Kate Forbes, Health Secretary Humza Yousaf and former community safety minister Ash Regan are all gunning to take the top job.

As nominations come flying in from SNP members across the country to the party headquarters, we take a look at some of the prominent backers of each candidate.

Each of the candidates have confirmed they have received the nominations to proceed in the process. All three names will now go forward to be voted on by party member

Note: This is not a complete list and will be updated as the race progresses. Nominations close on Friday. Some listed do not have a vote as they are not SNP members but are considered to be noteworthy. 

Ash Regan

Joanna Cherry MP

Cherry is the chair fo the Westminster human rights committee involving peers and MPs. She was the SNP’s justice spokesperson until she was sacked from the front bench for her outspoken opposition to gender recognition reforms.

The National: Joanna Cherry

She worked as lawyer for decades before founding Lawyers for Yes, which was her route into politics.

READ MORE: Kate Forbes officially enters SNP leadership race

She said: “I’m proud to support Ash given her solid left wing credentials working with [Regan] and the courage and leadership she has shown in standing up for the rights of women and girls.”

Craig Murray

Former UK ambassador to Uzbekistan, Murray does not have a vote in the race, having left the SNP in 2016.

A prolific blogger, Murray is also a personal friend of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange. He served eight months in Saughton after he was convicted of contempt of court for publishing information which a judge ruled could have identified some of the accusers in Alex Salmond’s trial.

The National:

Responding to Regan’s plan use a Westminster election as a de facto referendum, he tweeted: “I fully support this approach from Ash Regan.

“An unequivocal commitment to independence, and a refusal to accept that Westminster has a veto on Scottish self-determination, should be the fundamental qualification of any SNP leader.”

Humza Yousaf

Alison Thewliss MP

Once in the running to succeed Ian Blackford as SNP Westminster leader, Thewliss has served as the MP for Glasgow Central since 2015 and is now their home affairs spokesperson. She said: “I've known Humza since our time in the [SNP’s youth win] together and know how hard he has worked.

The National: Alison Thewliss MP (Jane Barlow/PA)

“He has the passion, knowledge and commitment to lead Scotland to independence.”

Anne McLaughlin MP

The MP for Glasgow North East, Anne McLaughlin served as the party’s Westminster justice spokesperson until Stephen Flynn took over as group leader. She is now the party’s asylum, immigration and border control spokesperson. She said she had “always felt [becoming FM could be his eventual path]”.

Anum Qaisar MP

The MP for Airdrie and Shotts, Qaisar attended Humza Yousaf’s launch event in Clydebank on Monday morning. She tweeted a picture of her seat predecessor Neil Gray – also backing the Health Secretary – at the event with the caption: “It’s happening”.

Chris Law MP

Law has represented Dundee West since 2015 and backed Alison Thewliss in her unsuccessful bid to replace Ian Blackford as Westminster leader. She was seen as the candidate closer to Nicola Sturgeon and the party high command.

The National: Chris Law is the SNP MP for Dundee West

Law tweeted that Yousaf was the right person for the job because he had a “great breadth of experience in the toughest jobs; hugely respected across Scotland [and] extremely capable of bringing people together as we strive for [Scottish independence]”.

Chris Stephens MP

The MP for Glasgow South West's constituency overlaps with Yousaf's. He said he had nominated the MSP for the top job, tweeting: "Nominated my good friend [Yousaf] to be the next leader of [the SNP] and Scotland's next First Minister. Good luck Humza."

Graeme Dey MSP

Dey said he was “delighted” when his “friend and colleague” Yousaf announced his candidacy. He added: “I have known and worked alongside Humza for many years and am in no doubt - for a range of reasons - that he is the best person for the job.”

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The MSP for Angus South since 2011, he resigned from government on health reasons earlier this year after serving as veterans minister then transport minister.

Jenni Minto MSP 

Backbencher Minto, the MSP for Argyll and Bute, backed Yousaf for the tob job. She worked as an accountant for KPMG and then as an executive at BBC Scotland. 

Minto said: "The next leader of the SNP needs to be able to unite our party and country on the SNP’s vision for independence in Europe.

"I believe [Yousaf] has the experience, passion and skill-set required to lead us to that vision and that’s why I am happy to nominate him."

Jenny Gilruth MSP

The transport minister has given her backing to Yousaf, ruling out a tilt at the leadership herself.

She was rumoured to be considering entering the race but has now endorsed her "friend and colleague" to take over from Sturgeon. 

Joe FitzPatrick MSP

Former public health minister who stood down amid high Scottish drug death figures, FitzPatrick said Yousaf’s “experience in government” would lead Scotland to independence. He said: “Our country and party need someone who can bring people together, deliver for Scotland, and unite us behind a positive vision for an independent Scotland.”

Karen Adam MSP

A prominent SNP backbencher, Adam represents the Scottish Parliament constituency of Banffshire and the Buchan Coast. She tweeted: “[Yousaf] is a genuinely kind person, and he’s a true humanitarian. He has vast professional competence and diverse life experience which he brings to his roles.”

Màiri McAllan MSP

Environment minister McAllan was considering a tilt at the top job but ruled herself out. 

The National: Mairi McAllan waving to the camera outside Holyrood

She released a statement backing Yousaf, saying: "I believe that Humza is someone who can lead and who can govern, according to the values that I've been really clear are very important to me, namely progress, fairness, inclusivity and kindness.

“And on independence, it's absolutely critical that the next leader of our party can lead our movement on those final steps that we have to take towards independence and I think that Humza is the person to do that."

Maree Todd MSP

Maree Todd’s constituency borders that of leadership challenger Kate Forbes and she currently serves as public health minister, meaning she directly reports to Yousaf in his current role.

The National: Launch of HMP Low Moss family visitor centre.. ...Minister for Childcare and Early Years Maree Todd officially opened the new Early Years Scotland (EYS) Family Visitor Centre at HMP Low Moss.The EYS Family Visitor Centre will improve the visiting experien

She cited his performance as Health Secretary in an interview with Times Radio as evidence he had the “skills and experience” to lead the SNP and the country. She said: “I believe at the moment right today in England, you're on day one of a three day strike for ambulance workers.

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"People who have heart attacks in England will not be able to get an ambulance to attend them.

“We've avoided that in Scotland. Because of Humza's personal efforts and his ability to get together in a room with people and work to find creative solutions. We have a fixed budget in Scotland, it's not easy to navigate our way forward through pay talks, but he has absolutely forged a path and avoided strike action."

Michael Matheson MSP

Energy Secretary and the MSP for Falkirk West, Matheson attended Yousaf’s campaign launch event in Clydebank on Monday. He has not commented further about his backing for his Cabinet colleague.

Neil Gray MSP

The MSP for Airdrie and Shotts, and former MP for the same area, was being mooted by some as a leadership candidate but Gray has thrown his weight fully behind Yousaf for the top job. He is understood to be closely involved with the Health Secretary’s leadership campaign and was the opening act at the Clydebank launch.

Tweeting his support for Yousaf, Gray said: “My view is that [Yosuaf] has the skills and experience to bring people across the party and civic Scotland together behind our vision for a fairer independent Scotland.”

Owen Thompson MP

The MP for Midlothian, and former Westminster chief whip under Blackford's leadership, said: "Having known Humza for many years now I know he has the drive, ability, experience of government AND experience within our party, making him the best person to take on the job."

Pete Wishart MP 

The SNP's longest-serving MP and a staunch liberal on social issues, Wishart was understood to be a floating voter before Forbes's bombshell comments on equal marriage on Monday evening. 

An ally of efforts to change gender recognition laws - putting him at odds with Regan - he said there was now "only one place to go". 

Wishart tweeted: "Kate had every chance to say that she would be prepared to come in behind the parties social liberal agenda. It looks like she wasn’t prepared to take it. There’s only one place to go now."

Tommy Sheppard MP

Seen as being on the party's left wing, Sheppard is the party's constitutional affairs spokesperson. He said: “The SNP need fresh thinking to harness the power of our grassroots, a leader with experience who can shore up the firm foundations we have built for independence.

"I’m confident Humza Yousaf can meet that challenge as our next leader and Scotland’s next First Minister.”

Emma Harper MSP

Harper came out in support for Yousaf on Thursday. In a statement she wrote:

"Having considered who I support for leadership, I have taken the decision to back Humza Yousaf MSP for leader of our party and as Scotland’s next First Minister. This is the top job in the country, and it needs somebody who has experience.

"Humza has had many of the toughest jobs in government over the last 10 years – Transport Minister, Justice Secretary and Health Secretary in the midst of a global pandemic."

Kate Forbes

Fergus Ewing MSP

Announcing his support for the Finance Secretary on Friday, March 3, he compared her to legendary SNP politician Winnie Ewing – his mother.

Winnie Ewing invigorated the party by winning the Hamilton by-election in 1967, before serving as an MEP and an MSP, as well as president of the party – becoming an iconic figure among independence supporters.

READ MORE: Fergus Ewing backs Kate Forbes – with comparison to his mother, Winnie

Alex Neil, former SNP MSP

Neil served as health secretary for two years in Alex Salmond’s government and has been a thorn in the side of the SNP since leaving parliament in 2021. He has been deeply critical of Sturgeon’s leadership but remains a member of the party.

READ MORE: Angus Robertson rules himself OUT of SNP leadership contest

He retweeted announcements of Forbes’s candidacy three times on Monday with the same caption: “To win a referendum we need to persuade the Scottish people of the economic case for independence. Kate is the best candidate to do that effectively.”

Alex Salmond (also backing Ash Regan)

The former first minister dismissed the chances of others said to be in the running last week, including Yousaf, because of their positions on gender recognition reforms.

The National:

He gave backing to both Forbes and Regan – the former missed the parliamentary controversy on the issue while on maternity leave, though is thought to be against the law change, while the latter quit the government over the issue.

He said: “If either, or both women step forward with a strategy on how to reinvigorate the independence case and bring the national movement back together, then the SNP grassroots may rally to their cause, whatever the ‘heid puddocks’ in SNP HQ may want them to think.”

Drew Hendry MP - withdrawn support 

The MP for Inverness, Nairn, Badenoch and Strathspey shares part of his constituency with Forbes and is perhaps best known for breaking Westminster rules by pinching the royal mace from its place.

The National: SNP MP Drew Hendry

He is currently the SNP’s foreign affairs spokesperson and approvingly reposted Forbes’s campaign video with the caption: “A powerful message and a great start to her campaign.

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"We will miss the brilliant [Sturgeon], but it is also exciting to think how we could have such capable yet relatively young leadership, with a fresh perspective, at both Holyrood and Westminster.”

Gillian Martin MSP - withdrawn support 

The MSP for Aberdeenshire East since 2016, Martin chairs Holyrood’s health committee. She is a staunch advocate for oil and gas workers in her constituency. She tweeted: “Kate Forbes has what it takes to be First Minister. I’m delighted that she has decided to stand.

The National: Gillian Martin said she had been "shocked" by the claim women were being denied products due to domestic abuse

“It was my pleasure to nominate her this morning. I’m happy to talk to any of my local members about why I think she  can lead us to become a prosperous independent country for all.”

Martin apologised in 2018 for comments she had made about trans women and black people in blogs she had written around a decade prior.

Ivan McKee MSP

McKee was the first to publicly back any candidate and came out in favour of Forbes as being “head and shoulders” above any other candidate in the mix, before declarations were made.

He works under the Finance Secretary as business minister and previously ran a management consultancy firm. He was a director of Business for Scotland in the run up to the 2014 referendum.

Jim Fairlie MSP

Fairlie joined the Scottish Parliament at the last election and rebelled against the Government over gender recognition reforms. A Perthshire farmer, he launched Scotland’s first farmers’ market in 1999.

The National:

Sharing Forbes’s campaign video, he said: “This is what new leadership looks like. I am delighted to see Kate has put herself forward as the leader of the SNP.

“She is that energetic centrist candidate that we need right now to pull the party together with the wider Yes movement, that will deliver our independence.”

Michelle Thomson MSP

Another gender recognition reform vote rebel, Thomson serves as the MSP for Falkirk east, having previously represented Edinburgh West in Westminster.

The National: Michelle Thomson 1 SA

She has a keen interest in business issues, having served on the Commons business committee as well as running her own consultancy firm with Roger Mullin.

READ MORE: Ex-SNP minister blasts Kate Forbes's past comments on LGBT rights

She tweeted: “The economy and job creation is at the heart of what we must achieve. [Forbes] has detailed knowledge of how Scotland is limited in our ambitions with devolution and I am confident can articulate a compelling vision of independence. Kate is the future.”

Tom Arthur MSP - withdrawn support 

Another of Forbes’s junior ministers, Arthur represents Renfrewshire South and is the public finance minister. Prior to pursuing a career in politics, he worked as a freelance piano teacher and professional keyboardist.

The National: Renfrewshire South MSP Tom Arthur

He said: “I've worked alongside [Forbes] in parliament and in government.

“I know she has the vision, experience and ability to make Scotland a more prosperous and fairer country; working with business, public and third sectors to deliver a wellbeing economy and build community wealth.”

Up for grabs 

Clare Haughey MSP

The children's minister threw herself behind Forbes for the leadership campaign only to U-turn in the aftermath of the Finance Secretary's controversial LGBT rights views. 

She tweeted: "I absolutely and completely support equal marriage. I am unequivocal on this issue. I cannot continue to support Kate’s leadership campaign."

Drew Hendry MP

The MP withdrew his support for Forbes's campaign over her comments on gay marriage. 

He had previously backed the MSP, with whom he shares part of his Westminster constituency, saying she represented "capable yet relatively young leadership, with a fresh perspective". 

After her anti-gay marriage comments, Hendry said: "Whilst I wish [Forbes] well for the future, my focus now is on ensuring we can bring people across communities, of all faiths - and none - back to a position of love, understanding, and, above all, respect.

"To that end, sadly, I cannot continue to back Kate’s leadership bid."

Gillian Martin MSP

A torn Martin posted to Twitter immediately after Forbes's controversial comments on LGBT rights she needed to "sleep and reflect on the assurances she has given me". Around seven hours later, the Aberdeenshire East MSP tweeted Forbes had lost her vote. 

She said: "We must be full throated in our support of equal marriage. No if or buts. I won’t be supporting Kate’s campaign on that basis. I wish her well- she’s extremely talented. But I have red lines. And this is one."

Richard Lochhead MSP 

The just transition minister and MSP for Moray said he could no longer consider Forbes as a candidate for FM, tweeting: "I welcomed my colleague Kate Forbes’s decision to join the SNP leadership contest given her talents and felt it would give us a real contest: new ideas and a new approach that we desperately need.

The National: Scotland's Cabinet Secretary for Rural Affairs and Environment Richard Lochhead

"However, I agree we can’t have a party leader who’d vote against same sex marriage."

Tom Arthur MSP 

A junior finance minister under Forbes, Arthur turned on his boss after her comments about gay marriage became public. 

He said: "Equal marriage is amongst our Parliament's greatest achievements and one that I would have been proud to vote for had I been an MSP when it was passed.

"Consequently, I am unable to continue to support Kate's campaign."