Episode Introduction
Jim Lamon joined Sam Stone and Chuck Warren in studio in 2021 as a Republican candidate for the U.S. Senate in Arizona. Lamon is an engineer and executive with more than 30 years in building large power plants. He founded DEPCOM Power, an Arizona-based solar construction company, and he was running to challenge Democratic Sen. Mark Kelly.
Quick Answer
In Breaking Battlegrounds Podcast 40, recorded in 2021, Arizona businessman Jim Lamon discussed his campaign for U.S. Senate. Lamon finished second in the August 2, 2022 Republican primary with about 29% of the vote, behind Blake Masters, who went on to lose to Sen. Mark Kelly in November.
About Jim Lamon
Jim Lamon spent more than three decades in the engineering and construction of large-scale power plants, including coal, gas and solar. In 2013, he founded DEPCOM Power, a Scottsdale-based company that builds utility-scale solar plants. Inc. 5000 ranked it the fifth-fastest-growing private company in the U.S. in 2018.
According to his campaign, DEPCOM created about 1,600 jobs, donated 10% of its net income to charity, and drew about 20% of its staff from military veterans. In November 2021, shortly after this interview, Lamon sold DEPCOM to Koch Engineered Solutions, a unit of Koch Industries, to focus on his Senate campaign.
Episode Overview
Lamon came on the show early in his first run for public office. He discussed his business background, his “America First” campaign, and why he was challenging Sen. Mark Kelly.
What Happened Next
The 2022 Senate Race
Lamon largely self-funded a campaign in a crowded Republican primary. On August 2, 2022, Blake Masters, who had Donald Trump’s endorsement, won the nomination with about 39% of the vote. Lamon finished second with about 29%, and Attorney General Mark Brnovich was third with about 18%.
In November 2022, Sen. Mark Kelly defeated Masters, 51.4% to 46.5%.
The Arizona Electors Case
In December 2020, Lamon was one of 11 Arizona Republicans who signed a document purporting to cast the state’s electoral votes for Donald Trump, despite Joe Biden’s certified win in the state. In April 2024, Attorney General Kris Mayes’s office indicted the electors and others on forgery, fraud and conspiracy charges.
Lamon’s attorney argued that Lamon signed only as a contingency in case courts overturned the result. He said Lamon had been assured by then-party chair Kelli Ward that lawyers had approved the document.
In December 2025, the attorney general’s office agreed to drop the charges against Lamon. He agreed to provide certain emails to prosecutors but did not plead guilty and was not required to cooperate. In June 2026, after the Arizona Supreme Court declined to hear the state’s appeal of a lower-court ruling, prosecutors dismissed the remaining case and said they would seek a new grand jury indictment.
Related Breaking Battlegrounds Episode
The 2022 Arizona Senate race
- Blake Masters on the border crisis, education and big tech
- Blake Masters on border security, fentanyl and rising crime
- Coins for Cops and an update from Blake Masters
Arizona’s 2022 primary season
- Tanya Wheeless on a new vision for Arizona
- Matt Salmon on proven records for a strong future
- George Khalaf and Mike Noble on Arizona primary predictions
- Breaking Battlegrounds 2022 midterm analysis and review
Arizona’s 2020 election
Energy
Frequently Asked Questions
Who is Jim Lamon?
Jim Lamon is an Arizona businessman with more than 30 years in power plant engineering and construction. He founded DEPCOM Power, a utility-scale solar company he sold to Koch Engineered Solutions in 2021. He ran for U.S. Senate in Arizona as a Republican in 2022.
Did Jim Lamon win the 2022 Arizona Senate primary?
No. Blake Masters won the August 2, 2022 Republican primary with about 39% of the vote. Lamon finished second with about 29%. Masters then lost the general election to Sen. Mark Kelly.
What happened to DEPCOM Power?
Koch Engineered Solutions, a unit of Koch Industries, acquired DEPCOM Power on November 30, 2021, for an undisclosed amount. Lamon sold the company to focus on his Senate campaign.
Was Jim Lamon charged in the Arizona fake electors case?
Lamon was indicted in April 2024 with other Arizona Republicans who signed a 2020 alternate elector document. His attorney said he signed only as a contingency. In December 2025, the attorney general’s office agreed to drop the charges. Lamon did not plead guilty.
Conclusion
In 2021, Jim Lamon brought his power-industry background into Arizona’s crowded Republican Senate primary. He sold his company, largely funded his own campaign, and finished second to Blake Masters. His involvement in the 2020 electors document led to charges in 2024, which prosecutors later agreed to drop.
Sources
- InMaricopa: 2022 Senate primary results
- Wikipedia: 2022 U.S. Senate election in Arizona
- Koch Industries: KES acquires DEPCOM Power
- 12News: Lamon’s attorney on the electors case
- Axios Phoenix: Charges against Lamon dropped; case returns to grand jury
Editorial Note: This article is intended for informational and analytical purposes. Political developments, policies, polling, and public statements can change over time. Readers should consult primary sources and official government information for the latest details.
