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 went on to serve as the mayor of Sydney before attempting to enter Parliament in 1997 as a Liberal candidate in the newly created Sydney—Victoria riding. However, he lost his bid to Peter Mancini of the New Democratic Party.