Ruth Maguire has been re-elected as Cunninghame South SNP MSP tonight with an increased majority.
Ms Maguire pulled in just over half the vote to secure a return to Holyrood in the next Scottish Parliament.
A majority of 7,952 was clinched by the Nationalists with Scottish Labour's Louise McPhater beaten into second place and Scottish Conservative David Rocks in third spot.
Speaking after her win was confirmed at St Matthew's Academy counting centre in Saltcoats, a delighted Ms Maguire said: "I'm delighted to be elected. It's an absolute privilege to be the MSP for Cunninghame South.
"It's been a really strange time and it's been a difficult year for everybody. The campaign has been difficult but it was quite heartening to see that the turnout was up and people got out and made their voices heard and I'm obviously delighted that they've endorsed me as their MSP."
Asked if an SNP majority at Holyrood was vital to holding another independence referendum, she added: "I think that we've been clear that voting in a pro-independence majority into the parliament will reflect that the people of Scotland want the opportunity to choose.
"I would love to see an SNP majority but it's really hard to tell at the moment."
Turnout was up almost seven per cent on 2016. The Tories share of the vote was up 6.7 per cent while Labour's vote share was down six per cent.
Cunninghame South Results...
Ruth Maguire (SNP) 15,208 (50.5%)
Louise McPhater (Scottish Labour) 7,256 (24.1%)
David Rocks (Scottish Conservatives) 6,621 (22.0%)
Tom Armstrong (Scottish Liberal Democrats) 715 (2.4%)
Maurice Campbell (Independent) 318 (1.1%)
Majority: 7,952 Turnout: 58%
Don't miss the latest Ayrshire headlines – sign up to our free daily newsletter here
