Finnish politician Maria Tolppanen campaigns for Kamala Harris in Boston

A municipal politician from Vasa and former member of Parliament, Maria Tolppanen, is currently anxiously awaiting the results of the presidential election in the United States. She is part of a group of 40 Democratic politicians who have been campaigning for Kamala Harris in Boston. The Finnish group has been going door-to-door to engage potential voters.

According to Tolppanen, this type of campaign effort has not been made from Finland before. During the campaign, she noticed how the candidates invoke strong emotions in people. “When I walked down the street wearing a Harris button, drivers would often honk and give a thumbs up or a middle finger, depending on their preferred candidate,” she said. Supporters of Trump have mostly been unwilling to engage with campaign workers from the opposing side, often responding with “go home,” according to her.

However, most people have been friendly and open to discussion. For the Finnish participants, this trip also serves as a learning experience, providing insight into a different approach to campaigning. Tolppanen observed a crucial difference in campaigning methods between the U.S. and Finland: “Here, we go to the people. We gather information and ask about voting intentions at their doors. In Finland, we often wait for people to come to us. We stand outside supermarkets offering sausages and candies, while also giving out campaign flyers.”

The experience in the U.S. offers fresh perspectives on engaging voters back home. “Meeting people directly can be an effective way to motivate voters,” she reflects. Participants in the trip mainly include active members of political organizations, with some local party representatives as well. The journey is partially self-funded, although local Finnish party organizations have supported the participants.