As a branch manager for Westminster Savings Credit Union, Dennis Marsden positioned his office closest to the lobby of the bank to be more accessible to his customers.

If elected as the MLA for Port Moody-Coquitlam on April 19, the Liberal candidate pledges to keep that openness and accessibility, even going so far as to suggest he would continue to knock on residents' doors following the campaign.

"I don't think door knocking should be limited to campaign times, I think it should be done throughout the four-year cycle," he told The NOW.

He also contends his hard work on the campaign trail has given him a firm grasp on the issues in the minds of voters.

Marsden sees the economy as the top issue in the riding. Much like what he's heard as a member of the Tri-Cities Chamber of Commerce or at the bank, he said people want a stable and secure job.

"Businesses want an environment where they can create opportunity for employment," he added.

But a second issue popping up on the campaign would be no surprise to anyone running for elected office in the Lower Mainland - transportation.

Marsden suggested the provincial government is addressing the issue in a "major way" by bringing the much-awaited Evergreen Line to fruition.

The Liberal candidate has also been critical of his opponent Joe Trasolini for what he sees as a combative nature in the NDP candidate, especially around the Evergreen project.

"I think the days of standing on the street corner and ranting are long past and we need to work on a collaborative approach," he said.

The Liberal candidate also insisted he's the right person for the job, suggesting residents want a representative who can work collaboratively with senior and local levels of government and community groups to find solutions to the issues in the riding.

However, it has not been easy to be a Liberal in recent months.

The party is trailing in the polls, while cracks in the party's centre-right coalition surfaced last month after long-time Abbotsford MLA John van Dongen resigned to join the B.C. Conservative Party.

Despite the constant media reports, Marsden said he's been helped out by MLAs in the byelection campaign and sees a caucus united.

He admits he is the underdog in the campaign, but maintained he wouldn't be running if he didn't think he could win.

Marsden also said he sees his decision to run as a culmination of 30 years of community service, and another opportunity to give back to the community he loves.

Among his resume, he has served as treasurer of the Eagle Ridge Hospital Foundation.

As the campaign heads into its final stretch, the 46-year-old father of two figures he's knocked on more than 6,000 doors.

He believes that effort will pay off, taking another shot at Trasolini by suggesting union representatives have been doing much of the door knocking for the NDP candidate.

"People want someone who is going to reach out to them personally, not just have volunteers do it," Marsden said.

"If your MLA is not going to personally work hard during the election to get elected, how can you possibly expect them to work hard as your representative?"