After a turbulent campaign which focussed on the prospect of a referendum on sovereignty, Marois' government was defeated in the April 7 election which elected a majority Liberal government and saw the PQ suffer its worst defeat in terms of popular vote since 1970, with approximately 25% of the vote. Her defeat included the surprise loss of her own seat of Charlevoix-Côte-de-Beaupré by 882 votes to Caroline Simard, whom supporters of Marois had widely accused of being a Liberal Party paper candidate. Marois's defeat marked the end of a 20-year hold on the district.