The SDLP has selected former Belfast mayor Nichola Mallon to contest the North Belfast assembly seat.
The one-time adviser to Environment Minister Mark H Durkan was chosen ahead of fellow former Belfast mayor Pat Convery.
The party's sole MLA in North Belfast is Alban Maginness who holds one of six seats in the constituency. Of the remaining seats, the DUP has three and Sinn Féin two.
Speaking after her selection on Thursday night, Ms Mallon paid tribute to Mr Maginness, who retires from politics at the end of March when the assembly is dissolved.
"Alban has been a tireless servant for the people of north Belfast," she said.
"His dedication to justice, human rights and the defence of civil liberties will mean his voice is sorely missed from politics here – we cannot thank him enough for everything he has accomplished."
Ms Mallon said it was a "very exciting time for the SDLP".
"Not only do we have a dynamic new leader in Colum Eastwood but we are seeing new faces at every level of the party," she said.
"I am proud to be part of this new generation who will challenge the sectarianism and stagnation that has plagued politics for too long."
Meanwhile, the DUP has confirmed Frank McCoubrey as the party's candidate in West Belfast.
Mr McCoubrey is a former Ulster Democratic Party member and Belfast deputy mayor. He joined the DUP in 2012. The decision to run Mr McCoubrey in West Belfast would appear to thwart Ukip leader David McNarry's hopes of running as an agreed unionist candidate in the constituency.
The Strangford MLA said in November that he was considering running in the predominantly nationalist constituency.
