Liberal Democrat MSP Willie Rennie said he was “humbled” to gain just under two thirds of the votes in North East Fife.
Out of a total of 33,625 votes cast in the constituency, the returning MSP secured a total of 21,350 votes with SNP coming in second on 7,876 votes.
They were followed by William Docherty (Reform UK) with 2,524 votes, Edward Shearsby (Conservatives) who got 936 votes and Scottish Labour’s Elizabeth Carr-Ellis with 818 votes.
Speaking after the declaration, Mr Rennie said he was “humbled and honoured” to be re-elected.
He said: “We knew it was feeling good when out (campaigning) at the doors but you never quite believe it.
“I was almost tearing up when I was doing the sampling and it was Liberal Democrat vote after Liberal Democrat vote. I was a bit overwhelmed by it.
“It was so overwhelming. I grew up in Strathmiglo, went to school in Cupar, I know the area inside out and for them to vote for me in such huge numbers is not a given. I feel a bit humbled.
“You can never take it for granted. I am always listening, always responding even if it was not the answer the constituent likes.”
As he prepares to step back into Holyrood, Mr Rennie expressed his aim to help restore the public’s faith in Scottish politics.
“I think there is a significant job to do,” he said. “National politics is not working very well. People see politicians looking after themselves and that is their perception whether right or wrong.
“I happen to believe a lot of politicians are doing good things.
“Politics for too many people has become that it doesn’t deliver for them. We need to change the way we do things. We need to hunt for agreements instead of constantly disagreeing something for the hell of it.
“We need to change. It would be incredibly important to try to find ways through solving significant problems like the housing crisis, our NHS not working for people, the fact that so many people are requiring benefit support.
“People are struggling with the education system and that needs to be properly addressed. If we keep with this style of politics we have, we wont deliver on that.
“That is my hope and wish for the next parliament. I hope – and I have a role to play in that – to try and make it work, make good relations with others and other parties to try and make things work.”
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