Sinn Féin has selected Slieve Gullion Councillor Aoife Finnegan to succeed Conor Murphy as the Newry and Armagh MLA.
It follows Murphy’s election to the Irish parliament’s upper chamber earlier this month.
He secured one of the 60 seats available with the support of Sinn Féin TDs and councillors.
Finnegan, from Crossmaglen, has served as a councillor for Slieve Gullion area of Newry, Mourne and Down council since 2020.
At a convention on Saturday, Sinn Féin members unanimously endorsed Finnegan for the position in Newry and Armagh.
Speaking after her selection, Ms Finnegan said: “I am both delighted and honoured to have been selected by Sinn Féin to represent Newry and Armagh in the Assembly. I want to thank all our local party activists for putting their trust in me as I take on this exciting new role.
“As a local councillor, I have worked tirelessly over many years to support workers and families and to ensure our community has access to the best possible facilities and opportunities.
“I am committed to continuing that work in the Assembly, where I will work every day to better the lives of the people in Newry and Armagh, and to strengthen public services.
“I look forward to working alongside the growing and dynamic all-island Sinn Féin team at this exciting time for politics on our island, with momentum for constitutional change continuing to grow.
“I want to take this opportunity to pay tribute to our outgoing MLA and new Seanadóir, Conor Murphy.
“Conor has been a titan in Irish politics for over three decades, and he will now bring his wealth of experience and energy to Leinster House, placing Irish unity at the top of the agenda in the Senate.”
The former Economy Minister’s move to the Irish parliament prompted a Sinn Féin ministerial reshuffle.
Caoimhe Archibald was named as the new Economy Minister, while former Infrastructure Minister John O’Dowd replaced Ms Archibald as Finance Minister.
O’Dowd’s previous position was filled by health committee chair MLA Liz Kimmins.