From rumours of candidacy, to announcing a leadership bid, to apparently being given a free run at the top job.
At 10:30 this morning, he stood in front of colleagues and supporters at the Grassmarket Community Project in Edinburgh and announced his intention to stand for leader of the Scottish National Party.
In his speech, Swinney said he wants to build on the work of the Scottish government to “unite the SNP and Scotland for independence”.
He added: “Ministers that act on my behalf will be working ferociously to deliver improvement in the lives of people in Scotland.”
He extended an olive branch to Kate Forbes, saying she would play a “significant” role in his cabinet, if elected.
“I am no caretaker. I am no interim leader.” said Swinney.
“I am offering to to take the party through the Westminster election and beyond the 2026 elections – two contests I intend to win for the SNP and for Scotland.”
He confidently referred to his “formidable electoral track record”.
“I’m the longest-serving parliamentarian in Scotland. I’ve won every single election I have contested with my name on the ballot paper since 1997.
“There’s nobody else in Scotland that has done that.”
Within a few hours, his biggest leadership rival Kate Forbes had dropped out of the race and given Swinney her backing to be Scotland’s next first minister.
