Republican

Josh Kohl

Idaho Senate, District 25

Campaign Website

(208) 332-1318

JKohl@senate.idaho.gov

Campaign Facebook Page

Twitter / X

Campaign Finance

Joshua Kohl is a first-term Republican member of the Idaho State Senate representing District 25, covering Twin Falls and parts of the Magic Valley. Kohl took office December 1, 2024 and is seeking re-election in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. The general election is November 3, 2026.

Background

Per his official Idaho Legislature biography, Kohl graduated from the University of Idaho in 2019 with a degree in mechanical engineering with a robotics specialization and works in the dairy-processing industry. He previously served as an elected member of the Twin Falls Republican Central Committee until he moved out of his precinct. His committee assignments include Agricultural Affairs, Resources & Environment, and Transportation.

Political Career

Kohl took office on December 1, 2024 after defeating three-term legislator Sen. Linda Wright Hartgen in the May 21, 2024 Republican primary. Hartgen had served two House terms in District 24B (2018-2022) and one Senate term in District 25 (2022-2024). No Democrat filed in the November 2024 general. His House District 25 paired-vote partner is Rep. David Leavitt.

Policy Positions

Per his February 3, 2024 Magic Valley Liberty Alliance candidate profile, Kohl's stated priorities include opposing what he describes as "the radical LGBTQ agenda in our schools," border enforcement, and cutting government spending. As a state senator he voted against House Bill 445 (2025), the water-stewardship bill funding Magic Valley aquifer recharge; per the Times-News editorial board column of April 19, 2025, he was named alongside Hostetler, Leavitt, and Zuiderveld among Magic Valley legislators who voted against the bill.

Political Alignment

Kohl is Idaho Freedom Foundation-aligned and was a member of the 2024 Magic Valley Liberty Alliance candidate slate alongside Sen. Glenneda Zuiderveld, Rep. Clint Hostetler, and Rep. David Leavitt. Per Political Potatoes' February 14, 2025 reporting, he attended the 2024 Young Americans for Liberty National Convention with Hostetler, Zuiderveld, Leavitt, and Sen. Christy Zito.

Campaign and Endorsements

Kohl is running in the May 19, 2026 Republican primary. Per the Idaho Sunshine portal, his 2026 campaign is supported by approximately $7,925 in independent expenditures from Citizens Alliance of Idaho PAC, with approximately $2,073 in opposition from WinAg PAC. Idaho EdNews has reported that Citizens Alliance of Idaho PAC draws substantial out-of-state funding, including a $450,000 transfer from the Virginia-based federal Citizens Alliance Political Action Committee Inc. and Pennsylvania gaming-related sources. His 2024 campaign also received support from Young Americans for Liberty's Make Liberty Win field operation. A separate Idaho EdNews report lists Kohl among 20 candidates supported by Rep. Jordan Redman's 36-18-1 Inc. PAC, seeded with $250,000 of personal money. The general election is November 3, 2026.

About This Profile

For deeper background on Joshua Kohl's record and network ties, see the IdahoExtremism.org dossier on Joshua Kohl.

Profile published by IdahoVoters.com. Last updated May 7, 2026. This profile will be updated as additional information becomes available.

News Stories

Idaho Senate committee sends anti-DEI bill for Medicaid providers to floor

news · Idaho Capital Sun · Laura Guido · 20260325

An Idaho Senate committee on Tuesday advanced a bill prohibiting health care providers that accept Medicaid funding from using “DEI” — diversity, equity and inclusion — policies in employment, training and practice. The bill was sent to the Senate floor for further consideration. If passed by the full Senate, it would go to the governor for potential veto, signature or to allow it to go into effect without signature. The public hearing on the House Bill 928 lasted more than an hour, with overwhelming testimony in opposition from Idaho physicians, many of whom said the kinds of training that would be prohibited are valuable to providing health care.

Idaho legislative candidates surpass money raised from previous primary election

news · Idaho Capital Sun · Mia Maldonado and Clark Corbin · 20240509

Legislative candidates have raised so much money that even Idaho Gov. Brad Little is taking notice. During a press conference with reporters on May 2, Little said the amount of money in some races gives him pause. “Does it give me pause? Yes,” Little said. “I may be old and yearn for the good old days. But you think it gives you pause and then you see what’s happened to other states and you go, ‘Thank God we live here in Idaho.’”

Idaho bill criminalizes use of bathrooms that don’t match sex assigned at birth

news · Idaho Statesman · Becca Savransky · 20260327

Sen. Josh Kohl, R-Twin Falls, drew on the familiar line that Idaho doesn’t want to turn into states like California or New York. He said senators had spoken a lot about trans people, but not about protecting children. “Trans women aren’t women,” he said. “They’re men and they need to be treated as such.”