EXCLUSIVE: Haaland, Bregman camps clash over Epstein ad

A political advertisement released by the political action committee Accountable New Mexico is escalating tensions in New Mexico’s governor’s race, as the campaigns of Democrat candidates Deb Haaland and Sam Bregman exchange sharp statements over allegations tied to Jeffrey Epstein–related records.

The advertisement, which has begun circulating online and through digital platforms, targets Haaland over alleged past connections to Epstein’s network. According to the ad’s transcript, the narrator claims that Haaland accepted a ride on one of Epstein’s private jets to attend a Washington, D.C., fundraiser and accepted “tens of thousands of dollars” in donations tied to Epstein-linked businesses. The ad also alleges that Haaland’s campaign later solicited additional contributions and that when questioned about the matter, Haaland referred inquiries to a spokesperson rather than answering directly.

The ad cites previously reported material and Department of Justice records, including documents associated with Epstein and past reporting from New Mexico Political Report, KOB 4, and KRQE. Some of those reports reference a Washington, D.C., fundraising trip and emails discussing a reported $50,000 fundraising request referenced in records tied to Epstein-linked entities.

In response to the advertisement, the Haaland campaign strongly denied the allegations and pushed back on the origins of the attack.

“Sam Bregman and his dark money friends are lying about Deb because he has no path to victory in this race,” Haaland campaign spokesperson Hannah Menchhoff told the Piñon Post. “She never met Epstein, never took money from him, and never rode on his jet. She believes all abusers and the people who defend them must be held accountable.”

The Haaland campaign also provided additional background regarding the 2014 Washington, D.C., trip referenced in some reports. According to the campaign, the flight in question was not Epstein’s personal jet but a chartered aircraft arranged through a private company and paid for by the campaign of then-gubernatorial candidate Gary King. The campaign said Haaland had no knowledge of Epstein’s role in connecting King with the charter company and maintained that Haaland’s lieutenant governor campaign did not accept or solicit donations from Epstein.

The campaign also pointed to Haaland’s record in Congress and as Secretary of the Interior, including work related to missing and murdered Indigenous women, support for the Violence Against Women Act, efforts related to human trafficking prevention and victim services, and a 2019 request for an inquiry into Epstein’s 2008 plea deal, where he evaded federal charges.

The Bregman campaign, however, rejected the Haaland campaign’s accusation that it was associated to the political action committee behind the advertisement, while also defending the ad’s claims.

“Our campaign is not affiliated with this group in any way however there does not seem to be any factually incorrect statements made in this ad,” said Joanie Griffin, campaign press secretary for Sam Bregman for Governor to the Piñon Post. “The Epstein files clearly lay out the truth of what happened.”

“Everything in that ad is a complete lie,” said Menchhoff in a phone interview with the Post. “This is a desperate cry for help from the Bregman team…. All the reporting about the flight and the whole situation, all the articles specifically don’t say it’s an Epstein jet. They say Epstein-linked. None of the claims even made in the ad are technically supported by contemporary articles,” noting the only connections are to former Attorney General Gary King.

When asked about Haaland’s connection to Gary King, who recently attended the Albuquerque Hispano Chamber of Commerce’s “La Noche Encantada” gala on February 21, which was also attended by Haaland, Menchhoff said Haaland may have seen him there, but there has been “no ongoing correspondence” with the former governor. King’s father, Democratic former Gov. Bruce King, sold Epstein the Santa Fe County land, which later became the site of Zorro Ranch. 

“Deb is a pretty authentic person. What you see is what you get. She’s very purposeful in the way she acts.” Menchhoff noted in the interview, “At the end of the day, none of this is correct, and it’s not even believable.”

The exchange marks a significant early escalation in the Democratic primary for governor, where Haaland and Bregman are competing for their party’s nomination in what is expected to be one of the most closely watched races in the state. Political observers note that independent expenditure groups and political action committees often begin running advertising months ahead of primary elections in an effort to define candidates early, particularly in competitive primaries.

Jeffrey Epstein, a financier who died in 2019 while awaiting trial on federal sex trafficking charges, maintained a wide network of wealthy and politically connected associates, and documents related to his businesses, travel, and political donations have remained the subject of ongoing public scrutiny and records releases in the years since his death. As additional documents and communications have become public, political campaigns across the country have faced renewed questions about past associations, donations, or contacts appearing in records connected to Epstein’s network.

Whether the allegations raised in the advertisement will have a lasting political impact remains unclear, but the public exchange between the Haaland and Bregman campaigns suggests the governor’s race is entering a more aggressive phase, with outside groups, opposition research, and political advertising already shaping the narrative months before voters cast ballots.

As the primary election approaches, additional advertising and political messaging from campaigns and outside groups is expected, signaling that the tone of the race may continue to intensify in the months ahead.

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