Josh Cantrell grew up in Kingston, Oklahoma, and completed his high school education there. He earned an associate's degree in 1995 and a bachelor's degree from East Central University. Cantrell spent nearly two decades in the construction industry before entering public service. He was elected as a Marshall County Commissioner in 2017 and served until 2022 when he was elected to the Oklahoma House of Representatives. Cantrell is married with two sons.

Josh Cantrell's legislative choices reveal a complex approach to policy, particularly in his opposition to raising the marriage age, which suggests a nuanced stance on personal freedoms versus state intervention. His background in construction and local government service hints at a deeply rooted, community-oriented philosophy. Cantrell's ability to align with opposing factions on environmental regulations points to a strategic, localized policymaking style. This combination of personal experience and calculated legislative decisions makes his political identity both intriguing and multifaceted.