Kate Forbes has declared "it's a free world" as she shrugged off being snubbed by senior Nationalists during her campaign to become SNP leader.
The finance secretary launched her bid to replace Nicola Sturgeon last week but soon faced a storm after sharing her personal views on social issues such as gay marriage and children born to unmarried couples.
Humza Yousaf, the frontrunner to become the next First Minister, has since racked up a string of endorsements from SNP top brass including Ian Blackford, Shirley-Anne Somerville, Jenny Gilruth and Michael Matheson.
On a campaign visit to the Cairngorm Brewery in Aviemore today, Forbes said it was "ultimately for SNP members to determine the outcome".
Asked if she was being ganged-up on after Blackford became the latest high-profile Nat to back Yousaf, she said: "I believe this is a contest and it's ultimately for SNP members to determine the outcome.
"People have obviously indicated who they support and why they support those individuals - it's a free world, they can do that.
"Ultimately, I'm looking forward to the debate going to SNP members because it's one person, one vote.
"Ian Blackford is one vote."
The Record reported last week that some SNP MSPs have considered refusing to vote for Forbes to become First Minister if she ultimately won the SNP leadership race.
Asked if that concerned her, the minister said: "This is an open democratic contest for SNP members. As an elected representative, I have one vote. My friends in the SNP - who may not be in elected office - also have one vote.
"And I think we should respect and honour the outcome - because it will be SNP members who will make their views heard."
Asked if she could be a unifying force in the party, Forbes said: "I do - and not just a unifying force. I think somebody who reaches out beyond just SNP members.
"The SNP cares enormously about delivering independence. To do that, we need to persuade people who are currently not persuaded of the merits of independence. And that requires a candidate who can reach out and listen.
"I certainly believe I've got the the ability and the competence to reach those people."
Forbes also declared herself to the "pro-business" candidate in the SNP leadership campaign.
She added: "I would certainly take a more pro-business approach as I don't think we can achieve our aims of reducing poverty or investing in the NHS unless we have a growing, prosperous economy.
"Small businesses are the backbone of the local economy and they create local employment."
And the finance secretary repeated her opposition to using the next UK election as a de-facto referendum on independence - despite the idea being proposed by Sturgeon.
She insisted that ending the Union should be "front and centre" of a future SNP election campaign - but insisted the vote should not be badged as a referendum.
"I would establish on day one of being First Minister a proper, party-based campaign team to get out there and make the case with significant focus on increasing our support at the next Westminster election," she added.
"That would be my approach rather than calling it a de facto referendum.
"I think independence support needs to be front and centre at that election."
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