One of the favourites to replace Maolíosa McHugh as Mayor of Derry City & Strabane District Council yesterday confirmed that he will not now be running for the position.
SDLP councillor Brian Tierney, 36, said he had taken the decision, after much consideration, for 'personal and professional reasons'.
"The time wasn't right for me," he told the Derry News. "I have made a decision not to put my name forward for various reasons, both personal and professional.
"As you are aware, I have a young family, and while they would have completely supported me if I had gone for the position, I did not think the time was right. I had previously discussed the possibility of my running with my wife and family and had received their full support.
"I would stress that this was entirely my own decision - and was not influenced by the party. Whoever the SDLP decide to nominate for the mayoralty will receive my full support."
Under the D'Hondt System used to appoint mayors here, the SDLP will this year select a candidate from their ranks who will then be ratified unopposed by the full council.
The SDLP Executive in Derry is expected to convene a meeting of the party's local membership over the next few weeks to decide on the candidate.
Other names from the party's Council team who have been mentioned are Angela Dobbins, Shauna Cusack, Tina Gardiner and the current SDLP deputy-mayor John Boyle.
Councillor Tierney who works in the SDLP Party Leader's Office in Northside, is regarded as a high-flier in the party ranks.
At their annual conference in Belfast at the weekend, he successfully proposed a motion calling for protection for border communities in the aftermath of Brexit and the establishment of a Border Bank.
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