He later served as mayor of Sydney. In 1997, MacLean sought election to Parliament as a Liberal candidate in the newly created federal riding of Sydney—Victoria, but was defeated by Peter Mancini of the New Democratic Party.
MacLean's subsequent career move led him to serve as the mayor of Sydney before running for Parliament in 1997 as a Liberal candidate in the newly formed Sydney—Victoria riding. Unfortunately, he lost his election bid to Peter Mancini of the New Democratic Party.