The North's Minister of Agriculture, Mrs Bríd Rodgers, has been elected deputy leader of the SDLP at the party's annual conference in Newcastle in Co Down today.
Mrs Rodgers who takes over from Séamus Mallon was elected on the third count.
She beat off the challenge of fellow ministers Seán Farren, Denis Haughey as well as north Belfast Assembly member Alban Maginness and South Down Councillor Margaret Ritchie.
Mrs Rodgers received 180 first preference votes from the 451 members and was elected on the third count with 234 votes.
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She received a standing ovation as she made her acceptance speech.
Mr Mallon, who was replaced as Deputy First Minister by his new party leader Mr Mark Durkan, had held the party's number two post for 22 years.