Former Texas state Sen. Don Huffines (R), who is running for Texas comptroller, is taking on a controversial project: transforming a New Mexico property once owned by Jeffrey Epstein into a Christian retreat.
Huffines, speaking Tuesday on OAN with former Rep. Matt Gaetz (R-Fla.), said the retreat is the “main reason” he purchased the ranch, which he has renamed from Zorro Ranch to Rancho de San Rafael. The property sits about 30 miles outside Santa Fe and was owned by Epstein for more than two decades until his death in 2019.
“This was obviously a dark place, and we wanted to put light in a dark place,” Huffines said, according to The Hill. “It always shines the brightest when you do that. My faith is so strong in Jesus, and it really is, and I’m going to make this — the plan all along is to make this property into a Christian retreat.”
The announcement comes amid renewed scrutiny of the property. On Monday, New Mexico lawmakers unanimously approved legislation authorizing a probe into the ranch. Attorney Sigrid McCawley, whose firm represents hundreds of Epstein survivors, told Reuters that “many of the survivors had experiences” at the property.
New Mexico state Rep. Marianna Anaya (D), co-sponsor of the legislation, said Epstein and his accomplice, Ghislaine Maxwell, had “enablers” in the state.
“Our families here in New Mexico have been here for a really long time, and there were whispers,” Anaya said on CNN News Central. “People knew what was going on. And in that, in that vein, the fact that there was never a full investigation done means that some balls got dropped. And so, in addition to individuals being held accountable, the state as well. We are going to look into that.”
Huffines responded to the probe, writing on X that he has “always maintained an open line of communication” with authorities.
“No law enforcement agency has ever approached me to request access, and I have always said unequivocally that any such request would be met with immediate access and full cooperation,” he said.
The ranch conversion plan positions Huffines in a politically charged and highly scrutinized spotlight, combining faith-driven initiative with a property steeped in controversy.
