Republican Janak Joshi, a former state lawmaker from Colorado Springs, has officially launched his campaign to unseat first-term Democratic U.S. Sen. John Hickenlooper in next year’s election.
Joshi, who unsuccessfully ran for Congress last year after moving to Thornton, joins retired Col. George Market, a 30-year Marine Corps veteran from Broomfield, in the GOP primary.
In early July, Colorado Politics reported that Joshi had filed paperwork to run for the Senate seat Hickenlooper has held since 2021. At the time, Joshi confirmed forming a committee but postponed his formal announcement until now.
Nonpartisan analysts rank Colorado’s Senate seat as one of the Democrats’ safest in 2026. Republicans have not won a statewide election in Colorado in nearly a decade.
Recalling his clashes with Hickenlooper during his time in the Legislature, Joshi said, “I have no choice but to go toe-to-toe with Hickenlooper again. In the legislature, I was a thorn in his side. Now, I’m going to send him packing and deliver common-sense results for Colorado.”
He added, “America is at a crossroads. This country gave me and my family the opportunity to find the American dream. Hickenlooper and radical progressives in D.C. are trying to destroy it. With your support, we can cut through the political circus in Washington and deliver for Coloradans.”
Hickenlooper’s campaign dismissed Joshi as “too extreme.” Campaign aide Jess Cohen said, “Janak Joshi is a far-right politician… He’s too extreme for Colorado.”
In an Aug. 6 appearance on The Chuck & Julie Show, Joshi emphasized that his principles have remained consistent since his first run for office more than two decades ago: smaller government, lower taxes, and fewer regulations, with a focus on the economy, healthcare, and immigration.
An immigrant from India, Joshi has said he arrived in the U.S. over 50 years ago “with a suitcase, $100, and deep convictions to serve others first and uphold the rule of law.” Criticizing illegal immigration, he contrasted it with his own experience of completing extensive paperwork, medical exams, and securing a financial sponsor before immigrating.
Joshi describes himself as independent-minded, saying he has opposed Republican bills when they increased regulations or expanded budgets. “I will fight for people. I am a people person. As a physician, I love to talk to people, and I’m always available,” he said.
A former physician, Joshi voluntarily surrendered his medical license in 2008 after admitting to “unprofessional conduct” in the care of a patient.
First elected to the state House in 2010, Joshi served three terms before losing a 2016 primary to fellow Republican Larry Liston. He has also made unsuccessful bids for the Colorado Springs City Council in 2003 and 2017.
Joshi said he aims to prove himself a credible candidate, unite Republicans behind his campaign, and ultimately flip the Senate seat. “This is a winnable race,” he said. “Even though people may think it’s not on the national news yet, we will be — and we will flip this.”
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Katie is a senior who has been on staff for three years. Her favorite type of stories to write is reviews and features. Katie’s favorite ice cream flavor is strawberry.
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