Kate Forbes narrowly lost to Humza Yousaf in last year’s SNP leadership contest.
Mr Forbes told Sky News he was considering re-entering the race following Mr Yousaf’s resignation.
The former Chancellor of the Exchequer faced a backlash during last year’s election campaign when he admitted he would have voted against same-sex marriage when it was legalized in Scotland 10 years ago.
The Free Church of Scotland member also told Sky News that having children outside of marriage is “wrong” and something she “wants to avoid”.
But the MSP for Skye, Lochaber and Badenoch insisted: “In a free society you can do what you want.”
Ms. Forbes argued that “continuing will not work.”
“If we want to continue winning elections, we need to continue to listen and maintain trust,” he said after losing to Yousaf 48% to 52%.
Ms Forbes declined the role of provincial minister, which at the time was considered a demotion.
She was one of the few SNP ministers not to delete her WhatsApp messages during the coronavirus pandemic, although her views on social issues remain unpopular with some of her MSP colleagues.
Ms Forbes will face resistance from the Scottish Green Party, which has so far denied working with her.
SNP colleague Fergus Ewing backed Mr Forbes, saying he was “head and shoulders above” the other candidates.
