Dem Frontrunner for New Mexico Gov Deb Haaland Flew on Epstein-Linked Jet: Emails

Haaland denies knowing the plane had ties to the disgraced financier, while former candidate Gary King says he would have used a different company if he had known.

Mar. 5, 2026 at 9:28pm

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Newly released emails reveal that Deb Haaland, the Democratic frontrunner in the race for New Mexico's next governor, was a passenger on a private jet linked to the late pedophile Jeffrey Epstein in 2014. Haaland, who was running for lieutenant governor at the time, was on the chartered plane along with then-New Mexico gubernatorial candidate Gary King and three others to attend a meeting in Washington, D.C. King's campaign organization had chartered the plane, which was arranged by Epstein, according to the emails.

Why it matters

The revelation that Haaland, a prominent Democratic politician, was connected to Epstein's private jet raises questions about her judgment and potential ties to the disgraced financier. Epstein's network and influence have been the subject of intense scrutiny, and any association with him could be politically damaging. Additionally, the story highlights the ongoing investigation into Epstein's lesser-known property in New Mexico and the potential for further revelations about his activities in the state.

The details

The emails show that the jet was chartered by JEGE LLC, a company connected to Epstein and registered to his island in the Virgin Islands. Haaland's campaign spokesperson, Hannah Menchhoff, said Haaland "never had any interaction with him and the way in which the plane was chartered was never communicated to her." King, however, had a history with Epstein, as his father sold the Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe County to the disgraced financier in 1993. King told reporters in 2014 that he would return $35,600 in campaign contributions from companies associated with Epstein, saying it was "the right thing to do."

  • In 2014, Haaland was running for lieutenant governor of New Mexico.
  • In 2014, King was running for governor of New Mexico.
  • In 2008, Epstein pled guilty to one count of soliciting prostitution and one count of soliciting prostitution from someone under the age of 18.
  • In 2019, Epstein killed himself in his cell at the Metropolitan Correctional Center in New York City while awaiting sex trafficking charges.

The players

Deb Haaland

The Democratic frontrunner in the race for New Mexico's next governor, who was a passenger on the private jet linked to Jeffrey Epstein in 2014 when she was running for lieutenant governor.

Gary King

The former New Mexico gubernatorial candidate who chartered the private jet that Haaland was a passenger on in 2014. King had a history with Epstein, as his father sold the Zorro Ranch in Santa Fe County to the disgraced financier in 1993.

Jeffrey Epstein

The late pedophile financier who arranged for the private jet that Haaland and King were passengers on in 2014.

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What they’re saying

“Deb never had any interaction with him and the way in which the plane was chartered was never communicated to her.”

— Hannah Menchhoff, Campaign spokesperson for Deb Haaland

“Jeffrey Epstein is a despicable predator who committed heinous crimes and Deb strongly supports a full investigation into the crimes committed both in New Mexico and abroad.”

— Hannah Menchhoff, Campaign spokesperson for Deb Haaland

“If I had known in advance that the jet 'belonged' to Mr. Epstein, I would have asked my campaign to contract with a different company.”

— Gary King, Former New Mexico gubernatorial candidate

What’s next

State officials have recently announced the reopening of the investigation into Epstein's lesser-known property in New Mexico for alleged criminal activity, which could lead to further revelations about his activities in the state.

The takeaway

This story highlights the ongoing scrutiny surrounding Jeffrey Epstein's network and influence, and the potential political fallout for those associated with him, even tangentially. It underscores the importance of transparency and vetting for political candidates, as any connection to Epstein could be highly damaging to their campaigns.