Neil Ellis's candidacy to retain his seat in the federal Bay of Quinte riding has taken another step forward.
 
Due to gathering limits surrounding the COVID-19 pandemic, a small group of team members and supporters were on hand to open the doors to Ellis' campaign office on 12 Dundas St. West in Trenton on Tuesday.
 
Even without a big grand opening that is usually part of a federal election campaign, Ellis said he is excited to welcome people in Quinte West.
 
"We've always done well in Quinte West was held by a Liberal seat before and we've had good Liberal politicians such as Hugh O'Neill here," Ellis told InQuinte.ca following the ribbon-cutting.
 
"The foundation has been built, so I think we're rock solid in Trenton also and (Prince Edward) County."
 
Ellis acknowledged that an issue in this particular election will be achieving sufficient voter turnout on Sept. 20 and the key is to work extra hard at knocking on doors and communicating to win unsure voters over.
 
"We've got a great team this year, probably one of my best teams we've had in an election," Ellis raved.
 
"It's nice to see a lot of young people out, as you see here today that are helping us. It's going to be a close election, and we've got the best team, so it's a matter of pound, pound, pound and coming across the finish line."
 
This is Ellis' third federal election campaign. He won the Bay of Quinte riding as part of a red wave in 2015 and got back to Ottawa after a Trudeau government minority win in 2019.
 
This is one of two campaign offices opened in the region for Ellis, the other location is in Belleville on 487 Dundas St. West.
 
The Trenton office is open from 9 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.