Her candidacy was controversial, in that she had previously been among the most vocal critics of NDP Premier Bob Rae from within the party itself. She opposed the Rae government's Social Contract legislation in 1993, and became known as a prominent ally of dissident NDP MPP Peter Kormos. She won the Windsor—Sandwich NDP nomination in a shocking upset, defeating Rae's preferred candidate, former Member of Parliament (MP) Howard McCurdy, 58 votes to 55. Party brochures had previously been printed listing McCurdy as the party's candidate. During the campaign, Rousseau was supported by both Kormos and by Windsor's powerful branch of the Canadian Auto Workers union, which had also opposed the Social Contract. She received 6,414 votes (25.31%), finishing second against Liberal candidate Sandra Pupatello.