St. Paul, MN – The chair of the Minnesota Racing Commission, Susan McArdle, has resigned, citing disagreements with the Walz governance over the commission’s role in supporting the state’s horse racing industry. McArdle, who served on the commission since 1993 and as chair since 2021, announced her departure in a resignation note, expressing frustration that the commission was being directed to simply regulate tracks rather than actively promote their economic health.
McArdle’s resignation follows a period of escalating conflict surrounding gambling revenue and the expansion of gaming options at minnesota racetracks. Specifically, controversy erupted over “past horse racing” – betting on previously run races – which Canterbury Park and Running Aces sought to expand with new machines in their card rooms.
The Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community sued the commission in 2024, arguing the expansion exceeded the commission’s authority and that the historical horse racing machines were functionally similar to slot machines, diverting business from their casinos.The Minnesota Legislature later sided with the tribes, passing legislation in 2024 banning historical horse racing statewide.
Further complicating matters, Running Aces voiced concerns about the appointments of Johnny Johnson, former Prairie Island Tribal Community council president, and Melanie Benjamin, a former Mille Lacs Band chief executive, to the commission by Governor Walz in 2023, alleging tribal collusion to limit track revenue.
Initially taking a neutral stance, McArdle’s position shifted when the governor’s office instructed the commission to focus solely on regulation, rather than fulfilling its stated mission of both oversight and “to promote the horse racing and breeding industry in Minnesota.”
McArdle,who described the Minnesota racing system as having evolved from “haphazard” conditions in the 1980s to a “lovely” system,stated she will continue to advocate for the industry.”We need people to hear our side,” she said. “We need to get their attention legislatively.”
