ST PAUL, MN – After a bitter end of the 2024 legislative session amid an ongoing battle between the state’s racetracks and Native Nations over Historical Horse Racing machines and sports betting, Governor Tim Walz announced his two new appointees to the Minnesota Racing Commission replacing end of term commissioners Roy Johnson and Dan Erhart.
Johnson was an assistant professor at Minnesota – Waseca for 17 years where he taught equine management, nutrition and training. He has also been a licensed horse show judge for 40-years. He served one term as Commissioner.
Dan Erhart, the other departing commissioner, had no previous equine role but grew into the position and became a vocal advocate for the industry. Erhart has served since 2012.
One of the new appointees, Melanie Benjamin, is currently the Chief Executive of the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe. While she boasts an impressive resume of business leadership, there is no mention in her biography on the Mille Lacs Band’s website of any experience in horse racing or horse related activity.
The other, Johnny Johnson, is currently serving as President of the Prairie Island Tribal Council and boasts extensive experience in Tribal Government and youth education programs. As with Benjamin, Johnson has no listed experience in racing or with horses in his official biography.
Both Tribes, as well as the Shakopee Mdewakanton Sioux Community, are currently locked in a RICO lawsuit with Running Aces Harness Park over games that can be offered in their casinos. The two Tribal leaders will now be in a position of oversight over the racetrack as well as Canterbury Park.
“It is certainly unusual to see two members appointed to the Racing Commission who represent competitors of the activities offered at the two Class A racetracks. Our expectation is that the Commission as a whole will continue to meet their legal responsibility to regulate racing while promoting Minnesota’s horse industry,” said Canterbury Park CEO Randy Sampson about the appointments.
Benjamin and Johnson are scheduled to start their terms on July 1, 2024.
