Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow has launched a new advertisement accusing former President Donald Trump of intentionally delaying the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge to benefit a major political donor. The ad marks the first significant effort by a Democratic candidate in the state to weaponize the controversy.
The bridge, which connects Detroit, Michigan, with Windsor, Ontario, Canada, was scheduled for a June 12 ribbon-cutting ceremony. However, the event was postponed after U.S. and Canadian officials cited "outstanding issues" that remained unresolved.
McMorrow, who is seeking to win a three-person Democratic primary, argues in the ad that the bridge is ready to open but remains closed because Trump "won’t open it." She further alleges that Trump is blocking the bridge because "the billionaire family that owns the other bridge gave him a million bucks."
This claim references the Moroun family, owners of the privately held Ambassador Bridge, which also spans the Detroit River. Campaign finance records indicate that Matthew Moroun contributed $1 million to Trump's super PAC earlier this year. In February, Trump publicly demanded that Canada transfer at least half ownership of the Ambassador Bridge to the U.S. government and meet other unspecified conditions as part of ongoing trade disputes.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge project, financed by Canada, has been under construction since 2018 and has cost approximately $4.4 billion. The project was negotiated during the tenure of former Republican Michigan Governor Rick Snyder.
McMorrow's campaign has allocated over $400,000 for the digital ad and a preceding 30-second television spot released earlier this week. These ads are part of a broader strategy to distinguish herself in a primary race that also includes U.S. Representative Haley Stevens and Abdul El-Sayed. Outside groups have also invested heavily in the race, with a PAC supporting Stevens spending nearly $8 million and a super PAC backing McMorrow reserving nearly $6 million in advertising.
The winner of the Democratic primary is expected to face Republican Mike Rogers, who has also spoken about the bridge issue, stating he would work to ensure its opening if elected to the Senate. Rogers previously lost to current Senator Elissa Slotkin in 2024.