Finnish politician Maria Tolppanen engages in U.S. campaign work for Kamala Harris in Boston

A local politician from Vasa, former Member of Parliament Maria Tolppanen, is currently eagerly awaiting the results of the presidential elections in the United States. She is part of a group of 40 Democratic politicians engaged in campaign work for Kamala Harris in Boston. The Finnish team has been canvassing door-to-door to mobilize sleeping voters. According to Tolppanen, this kind of campaign work has not been undertaken from Finland before.

During the campaign, Tolppanen noted the emotional reactions candidates evoke. “Walking around the city with Harris’s button on my lapel, drivers often honked and gave thumbs up or middle fingers, depending on their candidate preference,” she commented. Supporters of Donald Trump, she said, were less inclined to engage in discussions with campaign staff from the opposing side, responding with phrases like “go home.”

Most people have been friendly and willing to talk, however. The trip also serves as a learning experience for the Finns, allowing them to explore a different approach to campaigning. Tolppanen observed a significant difference compared to Finnish electoral practices: “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, offering sausages and candies at grocery store entrances while handing out flyers.”

This experience in the U.S. provides new perspectives for campaign work back home. “Meeting people face-to-face can be an effective way to engage voters,” Tolppanen reflected. Most participants in the trip are ordinary party activists involved in campaigns in Finland, along with representatives from party offices. The journey is partly self-funded, with local Finnish party organizations providing support.