Texas MAGA Candidate’s Surprising Link to Jeffrey Epstein Surfaces in Records

The ownership of Jeffrey Epstein’s New Mexico ranch has been disclosed. The property, which gained attention because of its previous owner’s crimes, is now owned by Don Huffines, a Republican party member from Texas and self-described "MAGA Trump Republican."

It was previously reported that the 10,000-acre ranch, named Zorro Ranch, was purchased by San Rafael Ranch LLC in 2023. However, it remained unclear who controlled the company. According to ownership documents obtained by The New Mexican, the firm, and the property, are tied to Huffines and his family.

A spokesperson for Huffines confirmed that Zorro Ranch is owned by Huffines. The spokesperson said, “Four years after Mr. Epstein’s death, the Huffines family purchased property in New Mexico listed at public auction whose proceeds benefited his victims. Prior to the auction listing, they had never visited the property.”

The ranch was listed for sale in 2021 for $27.5 million, but it has not been disclosed how much Huffines paid to buy the estate. Tax records show the ranch was valued at $21.1 million in 2023. However, in 2024, San Rafael Ranch LLC reduced its tax value to $13.4 million, citing that the property had gained notoriety as a former Epstein estate.

Zorro Ranch was one of the many estates owned by Epstein. He purchased the property, located about 30 miles south of Santa Fe, from former Governor of New Mexico Bruce King in 1993. The ranch includes a 26,700-square-foot main residence. The property drew attention because of allegations tied to Epstein.

Multiple victims have testified that they were abused at the ranch. The recently released Epstein files include some photographs from the property. The estate has now been renamed to San Rafael Ranch, and its address has been changed from 49 Zorro Ranch Road to 49 Rancho San Rafael Road.

Huffines served as a member of the Texas Senate from 2015 to 2019. Earlier in 2026, he announced his candidacy for Texas Comptroller of Public Accounts. Huffines is considered a leading candidate for the Republic Party nomination. A comptroller is responsible for collecting state tax revenue.

According to Huffines’ campaign website, he has been endorsed by Ted Cruz, Ron Paul, and Charlie Kirk. He has described himself as a ‘MAGA Trump Republican’ who aims to expose government corruption, eliminate what he calls woke ideology, cut taxes and create jobs, and demand a transparent conservative budget.

Huffines has also announced that he will ‘DOGE Texas Government,’ a reference to the Department of Government Efficiency, a former federal advisory initiative run by Elon Musk.

His campaign said, “As Comptroller, Don Huffines will DOGE Texas to eliminate fraud, waste, and abuse and save taxpayer money. This means auditing government, exposing waste, and fighting to return the savings and budget surpluses to taxpayers through property tax relief.”

Outside politics, Huffines co-owns and operates the real estate development company Huffines Communities.