diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/LeadershipAdminService.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/LeadershipAdminService.java
index fe9868a..bac18ad 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/LeadershipAdminService.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/LeadershipAdminService.java
@@ -54,4 +54,15 @@
      * @return mapping from topic to leadership info.
      */
     Map<String, Leadership> getLeaderBoard();
+
+    /**
+     * Attempts to demote a node to the bottom of the candidate list. It is not allowed
+     * to demote the current leader
+     *
+     * @param topic leadership topic
+     * @param nodeId identifier of node to be demoted
+     * @return {@code true} if nodeId is now the bottom candidate. This method returns {@code false}
+     * if {@code nodeId} is not one of the candidates for the topic or if it is the leader.
+     */
+    boolean demote(String topic, NodeId nodeId);
 }
diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/LeadershipStore.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/LeadershipStore.java
index 0953e38..ebc6b4c 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/LeadershipStore.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/LeadershipStore.java
@@ -16,6 +16,7 @@
 package org.onosproject.cluster;
 
 import java.util.Map;
+
 import org.onosproject.store.Store;
 
 /**
@@ -79,4 +80,15 @@
      * @return topic to leadership mapping
      */
     Map<String, Leadership> getLeaderships();
+
+    /**
+     * Attempts to demote a node to the bottom of the candidate list. It is not allowed
+     * to demote the current leader
+     *
+     * @param topic leadership topic
+     * @param nodeId identifier of node to be demoted
+     * @return {@code true} if nodeId is now the bottom candidate. This method returns {@code false}
+     * if {@code nodeId} is not one of the candidates for the topic or if it is the leader.
+     */
+    boolean demote(String topic, NodeId nodeId);
 }
\ No newline at end of file
diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/mastership/MastershipAdminService.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/mastership/MastershipAdminService.java
index 8e0679b..9af5e2f 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/mastership/MastershipAdminService.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/mastership/MastershipAdminService.java
@@ -58,4 +58,13 @@
      */
     void balanceRoles();
 
+    /**
+     * Attempts to demote a node to the bottom of the backup list. It is not allowed
+     * to demote the current master
+     *
+     * @param instance controller instance identifier
+     * @param deviceId device identifier
+     */
+    void demote(NodeId instance, DeviceId deviceId);
+
 }
diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/mastership/MastershipStore.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/mastership/MastershipStore.java
index 7f43a15..6a9fbf8 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/mastership/MastershipStore.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/mastership/MastershipStore.java
@@ -129,4 +129,13 @@
      * @param nodeId the controller instance identifier
      */
     void relinquishAllRole(NodeId nodeId);
+
+    /**
+     * Attempts to demote a node to the bottom of the backup list. It is not allowed
+     * to demote the current master
+     *
+     * @param instance controller instance identifier
+     * @param deviceId device identifier
+     */
+    void demote(NodeId instance, DeviceId deviceId);
 }
diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/primitives/DefaultLeaderElector.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/primitives/DefaultLeaderElector.java
index 6275a4f..be67325 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/primitives/DefaultLeaderElector.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/primitives/DefaultLeaderElector.java
@@ -91,6 +91,11 @@
     }
 
     @Override
+    public boolean demote(String topic, NodeId nodeId) {
+        return complete(asyncElector.demote(topic, nodeId));
+    }
+
+    @Override
     public void addStatusChangeListener(Consumer<Status> listener) {
         asyncElector.addStatusChangeListener(listener);
     }
diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/service/AsyncLeaderElector.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/service/AsyncLeaderElector.java
index b253e2a..7aee61f 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/service/AsyncLeaderElector.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/service/AsyncLeaderElector.java
@@ -144,4 +144,16 @@
     default LeaderElector asLeaderElector() {
         return asLeaderElector(DistributedPrimitive.DEFAULT_OPERATION_TIMEOUT_MILLIS);
     }
+
+    /**
+     * Attempts to demote a node to the bottom of the candidate list. It is not allowed
+     * to demote the current leader
+     *
+     * @param topic leadership topic
+     * @param nodeId identifier of node to be demoted
+     * @return CompletableFuture that is completed with a boolean when the operation is done. Boolean is true if
+     * node is now the bottom candidate. This operation can fail (i.e. return false) if the node
+     * is not registered to run for election for the topic or it is leader
+     */
+    CompletableFuture<Boolean> demote(String topic, NodeId nodeId);
 }
diff --git a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/service/LeaderElector.java b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/service/LeaderElector.java
index 9ac1a6e..e7604eb 100644
--- a/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/service/LeaderElector.java
+++ b/core/api/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/service/LeaderElector.java
@@ -102,4 +102,15 @@
      * @param consumer listener to remove
      */
     void removeChangeListener(Consumer<Change<Leadership>> consumer);
+
+    /**
+     * Attempts to demote a node to the bottom of the candidate list. It is not allowed
+     * to demote the current leader
+     *
+     * @param topic leadership topic
+     * @param nodeId identifier of node to be demoted
+     * @return {@code true} if nodeId is now the bottom candidate. This method returns {@code false}
+     * if {@code nodeId} is not one of the candidates for the topic or if it is the leader.
+     */
+    boolean demote(String topic, NodeId nodeId);
 }
diff --git a/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleMastershipStore.java b/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleMastershipStore.java
index 4536dda..0f00a5f 100644
--- a/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleMastershipStore.java
+++ b/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleMastershipStore.java
@@ -412,4 +412,22 @@
             future.whenComplete((event, error) -> notifyDelegate(event));
         });
     }
+
+    @Override
+    public void demote(NodeId instance, DeviceId deviceId) {
+        if (instance == null) {
+            return;
+        }
+        NodeId master = masterMap.get(deviceId);
+        if (master.equals(instance)) {
+            return;
+        }
+        List<NodeId> stbys = backups.getOrDefault(deviceId, new ArrayList<>());
+        if (!stbys.contains(instance)) {
+            return;
+        }
+        stbys.remove(instance);
+        stbys.add(instance);
+        backups.put(deviceId, stbys);
+    }
 }
diff --git a/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleMastershipStoreTest.java b/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleMastershipStoreTest.java
index 24c7a47..cee2431 100644
--- a/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleMastershipStoreTest.java
+++ b/core/common/src/test/java/org/onosproject/store/trivial/SimpleMastershipStoreTest.java
@@ -20,6 +20,7 @@
 import java.util.Set;
 import java.util.concurrent.atomic.AtomicInteger;
 
+import com.google.common.collect.Lists;
 import org.junit.After;
 import org.junit.Before;
 import org.junit.Test;
@@ -49,6 +50,8 @@
 
     private static final NodeId N1 = new NodeId("local");
     private static final NodeId N2 = new NodeId("other");
+    private static final NodeId N3 = new NodeId("other2");
+    private static final NodeId N4 = new NodeId("other3");
 
     private SimpleMastershipStore sms;
 
@@ -170,6 +173,30 @@
         assertEquals("wrong master", N2, event.roleInfo().master());
     }
 
+    @Test
+    public void demote() {
+        put(DID1, N1, true, false);
+        put(DID1, N2, false, true);
+        put(DID1, N3, false, true);
+        List<NodeId> stdbys = Lists.newArrayList(N2, N3);
+        // N1 master, N2 and N3 backups
+        assertEquals("wrong role", MASTER, sms.getRole(N1, DID1));
+        assertEquals("wrong backups", stdbys, sms.backups.getOrDefault(DID1, new ArrayList<>()));
+        // No effect, it is the master
+        sms.demote(N1, DID1);
+        assertEquals("wrong role", MASTER, sms.getRole(N1, DID1));
+        assertEquals("wrong backups", stdbys, sms.backups.getOrDefault(DID1, new ArrayList<>()));
+        // No effect, it is not part of the mastership
+        sms.demote(N4, DID1);
+        assertEquals("wrong role", MASTER, sms.getRole(N1, DID1));
+        assertEquals("wrong backups", stdbys, sms.backups.getOrDefault(DID1, new ArrayList<>()));
+        // Demote N2
+        stdbys = Lists.newArrayList(N3, N2);
+        sms.demote(N2, DID1);
+        assertEquals("wrong role", MASTER, sms.getRole(N1, DID1));
+        assertEquals("wrong backups", stdbys, sms.backups.getOrDefault(DID1, new ArrayList<>()));
+    }
+
     //helper to populate master/backup structures
     private void put(DeviceId dev, NodeId node, boolean master, boolean backup) {
         if (master) {
diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/LeadershipManager.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/LeadershipManager.java
index 5d02b5d..f582f30 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/LeadershipManager.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/LeadershipManager.java
@@ -103,6 +103,11 @@
     }
 
     @Override
+    public boolean demote(String topic, NodeId nodeId) {
+        return store.demote(topic, nodeId);
+    }
+
+    @Override
     public boolean transferLeadership(String topic, NodeId to) {
         return store.moveLeadership(topic, to);
     }
diff --git a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/MastershipManager.java b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/MastershipManager.java
index 442aaef..d6a7eae 100644
--- a/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/MastershipManager.java
+++ b/core/net/src/main/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/MastershipManager.java
@@ -305,6 +305,15 @@
         Futures.getUnchecked(balanceRolesFuture);
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public void demote(NodeId instance, DeviceId deviceId) {
+        checkNotNull(instance, NODE_ID_NULL);
+        checkNotNull(deviceId, DEVICE_ID_NULL);
+        checkPermission(CLUSTER_WRITE);
+
+        store.demote(instance, deviceId);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Balances the nodes specified in controllerDevices.
      *
diff --git a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/MastershipManagerTest.java b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/MastershipManagerTest.java
index 50fc377..2666910 100644
--- a/core/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/MastershipManagerTest.java
+++ b/core/net/src/test/java/org/onosproject/cluster/impl/MastershipManagerTest.java
@@ -21,6 +21,7 @@
 
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableList;
 import com.google.common.collect.ImmutableSet;
+import com.google.common.collect.Lists;
 import org.easymock.EasyMock;
 import org.junit.After;
 import org.junit.Before;
@@ -33,6 +34,7 @@
 import org.onosproject.cluster.DefaultControllerNode;
 import org.onosproject.cluster.NodeId;
 import org.onosproject.common.event.impl.TestEventDispatcher;
+import org.onosproject.mastership.MastershipInfo;
 import org.onosproject.mastership.MastershipService;
 import org.onosproject.mastership.MastershipStore;
 import org.onosproject.mastership.MastershipTermService;
@@ -354,6 +356,32 @@
         checkDeviceMasters(deviceIds, expectedMasters);
     }
 
+    @Test
+    public void demote() {
+        mgr.setRole(NID1, DID1, MASTER);
+        mgr.setRole(NID2, DID1, STANDBY);
+        mgr.setRole(NID3, DID1, STANDBY);
+        List<NodeId> stdbys = Lists.newArrayList(NID2, NID3);
+        MastershipInfo mastershipInfo = mgr.getMastershipFor(DID1);
+        assertTrue(mastershipInfo.master().isPresent());
+        assertEquals("wrong role", NID1, mastershipInfo.master().get());
+        assertEquals("wrong backups", stdbys, mastershipInfo.backups());
+        // No effect, it is the master
+        mgr.demote(NID1, DID1);
+        assertEquals("wrong role", NID1, mastershipInfo.master().get());
+        assertEquals("wrong backups", stdbys, mastershipInfo.backups());
+        // No effect, it is not part of the mastership
+        mgr.demote(NID4, DID1);
+        assertEquals("wrong role", NID1, mastershipInfo.master().get());
+        assertEquals("wrong backups", stdbys, mastershipInfo.backups());
+        // Demote N2
+        mgr.demote(NID2, DID1);
+        stdbys = Lists.newArrayList(NID3, NID2);
+        mastershipInfo = mgr.getMastershipFor(DID1);
+        assertEquals("wrong role", NID1, mastershipInfo.master().get());
+        assertEquals("wrong backups", stdbys, mastershipInfo.backups());
+    }
+
     private void checkDeviceMasters(Set<DeviceId> deviceIds, Set<NodeId> expectedMasters) {
         checkDeviceMasters(deviceIds, expectedMasters, null);
     }
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/cluster/impl/DistributedLeadershipStore.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/cluster/impl/DistributedLeadershipStore.java
index 43959de..3e4b68f 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/cluster/impl/DistributedLeadershipStore.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/cluster/impl/DistributedLeadershipStore.java
@@ -263,6 +263,11 @@
                         e -> new Leadership(parseTopic(e.getKey()), e.getValue().leader(), e.getValue().candidates())));
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public boolean demote(String topic, NodeId nodeId) {
+        return leaderElector.demote(getTopicFor(topic, nodeId), nodeId);
+    }
+
     /**
      * Returns a leader elector topic namespaced with the local node's version.
      *
diff --git a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/mastership/impl/ConsistentDeviceMastershipStore.java b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/mastership/impl/ConsistentDeviceMastershipStore.java
index 3c27df2..1b54024 100644
--- a/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/mastership/impl/ConsistentDeviceMastershipStore.java
+++ b/core/store/dist/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/mastership/impl/ConsistentDeviceMastershipStore.java
@@ -300,6 +300,12 @@
         // Noop. LeadershipService already takes care of detecting and purging stale locks.
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public void demote(NodeId instance, DeviceId deviceId) {
+        String leadershipTopic = createDeviceMastershipTopic(deviceId);
+        leadershipAdminService.demote(leadershipTopic, instance);
+    }
+
     private MastershipInfo buildMastershipFromLeadership(Leadership leadership) {
         ImmutableMap.Builder<NodeId, MastershipRole> builder = ImmutableMap.builder();
         if (leadership.leaderNodeId() != null) {
diff --git a/core/store/primitives/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/atomix/primitives/impl/AtomixLeaderElector.java b/core/store/primitives/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/atomix/primitives/impl/AtomixLeaderElector.java
index e92eafb..b296da0 100644
--- a/core/store/primitives/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/atomix/primitives/impl/AtomixLeaderElector.java
+++ b/core/store/primitives/src/main/java/org/onosproject/store/atomix/primitives/impl/AtomixLeaderElector.java
@@ -105,6 +105,11 @@
         return CompletableFuture.completedFuture(null);
     }
 
+    @Override
+    public CompletableFuture<Boolean> demote(String topic, NodeId nodeId) {
+        return adaptFuture(atomixElector.demote(topic, nodeId));
+    }
+
     private Leadership toLeadership(String topic, io.atomix.core.election.Leadership<NodeId> leadership) {
         return leadership != null
             ? new Leadership(topic, toLeader(leadership.leader()), leadership.candidates())