 She endorsed welfare reform and the abolition of affirmative action programs ("Hamilton Spectator", 19 May 1995) in the 1995 provincial election, and was credited with running a stronger campaign than expected.She finished a credible third in Hamilton Centre, where the Progressive Conservatives have not historically polled well.In 1996, Tomasic was chosen as the federal Progressive Conservative candidate for a Hamilton East by-election against Liberal cabinet minister Sheila Copps.