Key facts
- Democratic Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow launched an ad accusing Donald Trump of blocking the Gordie Howe International Bridge opening.
- The ad suggests Trump's action benefits the Moroun family, owners of the Ambassador Bridge, who donated $1 million to Trump's super PAC.
- The bridge's ribbon-cutting ceremony was postponed due to "outstanding issues" between the U.S. and Canada.
- McMorrow is seeking to make the bridge controversy a central campaign issue in her primary race.
- The Gordie Howe International Bridge is a new, Canada-financed project connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario.
Democratic Michigan Senate candidate Mallory McMorrow has launched an advertising campaign accusing President Donald Trump of intentionally delaying the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge. The ad, shared with The Associated Press, suggests Trump is acting to benefit the Moroun family, owners of the privately held Ambassador Bridge, who recently donated $1 million to Trump's super PAC.
The Gordie Howe International Bridge, a new $4.4 billion project connecting Detroit and Windsor, Ontario, was scheduled for a ribbon-cutting ceremony on June 12 but was abruptly postponed due to "outstanding issues" between the U.S. and Canada. McMorrow, a state senator and self-described "dark horse" candidate in a three-person primary, is attempting to leverage this controversy to distinguish herself and make it a central campaign issue.
Trump has previously engaged in broader disputes with Canada over trade, including demanding ownership concessions for the Ambassador Bridge in a February social media post. The new bridge, named after hockey legend Gordie Howe, is expected to become a significant economic link between the two countries. McMorrow's campaign has initiated a significant ad buy in the Detroit market to promote this message, while outside groups are also investing heavily in the race to support various candidates.