Scottish Conservative deputy leader Jackson Carlaw has been an MSP since 2007, and a Tory for much longer, having joined the party in 1978.
The former car salesman tried and failed on three occasions to win the Eastwood constituency seat, in 2003, 2007 and 2011, before finally succeeding in 2016.
Mr Carlaw, 57, who was a list MSP representing the West of Scotland for the past nine years, stood for the party's leadership when Annabel Goldie resigned in 2011, losing out to Holyrood newcomer Ruth Davidson.
He was appointed as Ms Davidson's deputy, and has gone on to carve out a reputation as one of the Tories' strongest performers at the Scottish Parliament.
Brought up in Newton Mearns, East Renfrewshire, Mr Carlaw is married with two sons.
READ MORE: Live: Scottish election 2016
He worked for 25 years as a car salesman, and joined the East Renfrewshire Conservatives in 1978.
Since then, he has held various roles within the party, and once stood as a candidate for Westminster.
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