South Belfast MLA Carmel Hanna has announced she will be standing down from the Northern Ireland Assembly.
The SDLP's former communications chief Conall McDevitt has emerged as one of the favourites to take over from Ms Hanna.
Mr McDevitt is now managing director of the Belfast office of Weber Shandwick.
Councillor Bernie Kelly, a former deputy lord mayor, is also expected to put her name forward by the time the party's South Belfast constituency council meets on December 9 to choose a successor.
Ms Hanna, 63, has been an MLA since 1998.
Party leader Mark Durkan MP, MLA said Carmel Hanna had served her constituents, and the people of Northern Ireland with dignity, determination and dedication during a distinguished political career.
He added: "During this time she has remained steadfastly committed to social democracy and peaceful politics.
"She brought immense professionalism to the SDLP Assembly team with her expertise in the field of health and she has been a long-standing supporter of international development."
© Press Association