Dundee-based MSP Jenny Marra has topped Labour’s North East Scotland regional list as so-called Corbynista candidates failed to make serious breakthroughs.
Of those candidates seen as being on the hard-left of the party, only Neil Findlay and Richard Leonard ended up in positions that guarantee they will become MSPs.
Labour has slumped in the polls in Scotland since Jeremy Corbyn was elected as UK leader last summer.
Aberdeen-based Lewis MacDonald was in second place in the North East Scotland list, with Dundonians Lesley Brennan and Richard McCready in third and fourth respectively.
A senior Labour source said the two councillors benefited massively from picking up a large number of second preference votes because of Dundee City West candidate Ms Marra’s high level of support, despite Ms Brennan’s recent increase in exposure as an MSP.
The insider added: “Jenny won the contest hands down and her vote has transferred to the other local candidates pushing them up right the list.”
Alex Rowley automatically topped the Mid Scotland and Fife list due to his position as deputy leader, with sitting MSP Claire Baker winning the battle for votes to be placed second.
It now looks like former MP Thomas Docherty will make a return to politics at Holyrood after coming in third.
Dunfermline representative Cara Hilton will face a bigger challenge from fourth place while fellow MSP Jayne Baxter can hold out no hope having finished eighth.
Scottish party leader Kezia Dugdale said the successful candidates provide a welcome balance between new blood and experience.
She added: “I am absolutely delighted with the talented group of people who have been selected as Scottish Labour candidates.”