Paula Bradley's time as deputy leader of the DUP could hardly be described as high-profile.
In the two years she has held the post she has seldom featured in news headlines about the party.
The only thing more low-key has been the election of her successor - a contest the DUP clearly didn't want and certainty wanted to keep under wraps.
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Ms Bradley's inconspicuousness contrasted with her Brexit-backing predecessor Nigel Dodds, who was front and centre of the 2016 EU referendum campaign and its aftermath.
There are a number of factors which may explain the change, most notably her decision to step down as an MLA to spend more time caring for her elderly parents.
She became deputy leader during a turbulent time for the DUP when Edwin Poots was briefly elected party leader after an internal revolt against Arlene Foster.
Following a quick change at the top when Sir Jeffrey Donaldson succeeded Mr Poots' chaotic tenure, there was a notable shift in focus.
But two significant interventions by Ms Bradley during her early months as deputy leader have also led some to question whether she was sidelined.
During an online political debate, Ms Bradley apologised for the "absolutely atrocious" comments made in the past by some in her party against LGBT people.
Her apology was surprising in itself, given the DUP's long history of hostility towards the LGBT community. DUP founder Ian Paisley led the 'Save Ulster from Sodomy' campaign in the late 1970s against the decriminalisation of homosexuality in Northern Ireland.
It was also surprising in how categoric she was in her words. Ms Bradley said "shocking" remarks made over the years "fed into the hatred that some people have had to endure in their life".
The comments received pushback from then DUP MLA Jim Wells, but Sir Jeffrey supported Ms Bradley's apology, saying that she "speaks for the party".
It was the clearest signal yet of some sections of the DUP seeking to soften the party's socially conservative image.
But it seems earlier remarks by Ms Bradley on abortion were a step too far for the party.
In an interview with UTV's View From Stormont, the DUP deputy leader expressed empathy with women facing "the most difficult decisions" and having to travel outside Northern Ireland for abortions.
She also urged the DUP to reconsider its block on other Stormont parties bringing a paper to the Executive on the commissioning of abortion services in Northern Ireland.
Her remarks were seen as going closer than any other DUP member has gone before towards supporting a woman's right to choose on the issue.
Within days there was a U-turn. Ms Bradley insisted she had not been forced to backtrack on her comments.
She suggested she had realised herself that her remarks were not in line with the party's hardline anti-abortion policy, adding: "I am not infallible in some of the things I say."
And with that came an abrupt end to the DUP leader's outspoken streak.
In the years since Ms Bradley became deputy leader, the DUP has managed to avoid a split and consolidate its position electorally as the lead party of unionism.
But their pool is shrinking, with nationalists now outpolling unionists and Sinn Fein overtaking the DUP as the largest party.
Stepping back as an MLA last year, Ms Bradley said she did not regard herself as "this liberal that other people see me as".
Yet the low-key end of her short-lived deputy leadership represents a missed opportunity for the DUP and unionism to broaden their appeal.
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