Joel Kitchens holds a bachelor's degree and a doctor of veterinary medicine degree from Ohio State University. He began a veterinarian practice in Sturgeon Bay, Wisconsin, and has since transitioned into public service. Kitchens has been involved in local education governance, serving on the Sturgeon Bay School District Board of Education and eventually becoming its President. His leadership roles in the community include positions with the Door County Medical Center, Wisconsin Veterinary Medical Association, and the Midwestern Legislative Conference Education and Workforce Development Committee.

Joel Kitchens's political identity is rooted in a highly localized approach, particularly evident in his long-standing commitment to local education governance. Despite his Republican affiliation, Kitchens's legislative record shows an unexpected convergence with opposing factions on environmental regulations, revealing a highly calculated approach to protecting regional industrial interests. His multifaceted community involvement suggests a nuanced understanding of local dynamics, yet the absence of clear stances in healthcare and economic policy leaves intriguing questions about his broader ideological framework.