Governor Wes Moore announced Nicole Earle’s appointment as Chair of the Maryland Racing Commission on June 5, 2026. Her tenure began June 10, making her the first woman—and the first Black woman—to lead the Commission since its founding.
Earle entered the chair role after serving for a year as a commissioner. Her experience spans development finance, affordable housing, public-sector redevelopment and community investment, with longstanding ties to Park Heights—the Baltimore community surrounding Pimlico Race Course.
The nine-member Commission regulates thoroughbred and standardbred racing and pari-mutuel wagering in Maryland. Earle assumed leadership during a period of major investment and transition involving Pimlico and Laurel Park.
The historic appointment was covered by state government, business, community and racing-industry publications. Those reports are consolidated below so visitors can see the official announcement without turning syndicated coverage into duplicate Dominion posts.
