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Brad Knott

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Brad Knott
Official House portrait of Knott in front of the U.S. flag, wearing a black suit, white shirt, and blue tie.
Knott in 2025
Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 13th district
Incumbent
Assumed office
January 3, 2025
Preceded byWiley Nickel
Personal details
Born
John Bradford Knott

(1986-04-17) April 17, 1986 (age 39)
Raleigh, North Carolina, U.S.
Political partyRepublican
SpouseJoanna Saleeby
Children2
RelativesJ. T. Knott (grandfather)
EducationBaylor University (BA)
Wake Forest University (JD)
OccupationAttorney, Politician
WebsiteHouse website

John Bradford Knott (born April 17, 1986) is an American attorney and politician who is the member for the United States House of Representatives in North Carolina's 13th congressional district. Prior to taking office in 2025, he worked as a federal prosecutor in the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina.

Early life, family, and education

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John Bradford Knott was born on April 17, 1986, in Raleigh, North Carolina.[1][2][3] He is one of five siblings.[4] His father, Joseph Thomas Knott III, was an assistant U.S. attorney and served on the University of North Carolina Board of Governors.[5][6] Knott's grandfather, James Thomas Knott Jr., served in the U.S. Army during World War II and was a member of the Wake County Board of Commissioners for twelve years.[7] Knott's brother, Tucker Knott, is chief of staff for U.S. Senator Ted Budd and the former chief of staff for U.S. Congressman George Holding.[6][4]

He attended St. David's School, an Episcopal day school in Raleigh.[8] Knott earned his bachelor's degree from Baylor University and his Juris Doctor degree from the Wake Forest University School of Law.[9]

Career

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Knott was hired as a federal prosecutor in the office of the United States Attorney for the Eastern District of North Carolina in 2016.[9][6] He worked as a federal prosecutor until November 2023.[6]

U.S. House of Representatives

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Elections

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2024

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He ran for the United States House of Representatives seat for North Carolina's 13th congressional district in the 2024 elections. One of Knott's brothers, Thomas Knott, donated over $700,000 to the American Foundations Committee, a super PAC that supported his congressional campaign.[6] He advanced to a runoff election against Kelly Daughtry, who finished in first place with 27% of the vote, while Knott obtained about 19%.[10][11] After Donald Trump and Americans for Prosperity endorsed Knott,[12][13] Daughtry dropped out of the race, leaving Knott to become the Republican nominee.[14] He won the November election.[15] He received criticism during the election for voting while registered at his father's Raleigh address despite living at his own residence in Raleigh.[16] Knott referred to the incident as an "oversight".[16]

Tenure

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Rep. Knott was sworn in to the 119th United States Congress on January 3, 2025.

Committee assignments

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For the 119th Congress:[17]

Political positions

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Firearms

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Knott supports gun rights, stating that the Second Amendment "has no borders within the U.S."[18]

Foreign affairs

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Knott supports Israel in the Gaza war.[19] He also opposes providing aid to Ukraine in the Russo-Ukrainian War.[4]

Government spending

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Knott stated that the federal government employs too many people and that some employees, who he claims do not serve taxpayers well, add unnecessary costs to both the public and private sector.[20]

Immigration

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Knott opposes sanctuary policies inacted by local governments to protect undocumented immigrants.[21] He called for more criminal deportations, stating in 2024 that immigrants who commit crimes ranging from a "DUI all the way up to serious drug trafficking or violent felonies" need to be expelled from the country.[4] Knott wants more local police officers to be cross-deputized with federal credentials in order to assist in increasing criminal deportations.[4] He also opposes the concept of open borders and calls for a more secure Mexico–United States border.[20]

LGBTQ rights

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Knott opposes transgender women competing in women's sports.[18] He misgendered transgender women, referring to them as men.[18]

Marijuana

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Knott has an "F" rating from the National Organization for the Reform of Marijuana Laws (NORML) for his voting history regarding cannabis-related causes.[22]

Reproductive healthcare

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Knott, who identifies as pro-life, opposes the legalization of abortion and voiced support for the U.S. Supreme Court's overturning of Roe v. Wade in Dobbs v. Jackson Women's Health Organization.[19] He claimed that religiously-operated crisis pregnancy centers were under attack from "pro-abortion extremists and left-wing politicians."[19]

Personal life

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Knott is married to Joanne Saleeby, a former golfer at North Carolina State University and the owner of Monkee's of Raleigh boutique in North Hills.[7][23] They have two children.[7]

He is Baptist.[24][25]

Electoral history

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2024 North Carolina's 13th congressional district Republican primary results[26]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Kelly Daughtry 22,978 27.4
Republican Brad Knott 15,664 18.7
Republican Fred Von Canon 14,344 17.1
Republican DeVan Barbour 12,892 15.4
Republican Josh McConkey 5,926 7.1
Republican Kenny Xu 3,604 4.3
Republican David Dixon 2,146 2.6
Republican Matt Shoemaker 2,003 2.4
Republican Chris Baker 1,089 1.3
Republican Eric Stevenson 844 1.0
Republican Marcus Dellinger 798 1.0
Republican Siddhanth Sharma 614 0.7
Republican James Phillips 565 0.7
Republican Steve Von Loor 427 0.5
Total votes 83,894 100.0
2024 North Carolina's 13th congressional district Republican primary runoff results
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brad Knott 19,632 90.8
Republican Kelly Daughtry (withdrawn) 1,998 9.2
Total votes 21,630 100.0
2024 North Carolina's 13th congressional district election[27]
Party Candidate Votes %
Republican Brad Knott 243,655 58.6
Democratic Frank Pierce 171,835 41.4
Total votes 415,490 100.0
Republican gain from Democratic

References

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  1. ^
  2. ^ "Rep. Brad Knott - R North Carolina, 13th- Biography". LegiStorm. Retrieved November 6, 2024.
  3. ^ "North Carolina New Members 2025". The Hill. December 11, 2024. Retrieved December 11, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c d e Anderson, Bryan. "The GOP's Family Feud". The Assembly. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  5. ^ Battaglia, Danielle. "Trump-backed Brad Knott likely headed to Congress. Why he quit dream job in NC to run". Retrieved November 7, 2024.
  6. ^ a b c d e Specht, Paul (April 14, 2024). "In Triangle-area congressional runoff, Republicans Daughtry and Knott fight over Democratic ties". WRAL-TV. Raleigh, North Carolina. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  7. ^ a b c Redfield, Isabelle (October 22, 2024). "Joanna Knott: Faith, Family, and Fashion on the Campaign Trail". The Conservateur. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  8. ^ "St. David's Magazine -- Fall 2021". ISSUU. Raleigh, North Carolina. November 17, 2021. Retrieved January 24, 2025.
  9. ^ a b "House hopeful touts his record on crime - Restoration NewsMedia". Restoration NewsMedia -. December 29, 2023.
  10. ^ https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article286345210.html
  11. ^ "Runoff expected between Kelly Daughtry, Brad Knott in crowded GOP primary for NC-13th". ABC11 Raleigh-Durham. March 5, 2024.
  12. ^ "Former President Trump endorses Brad Knott for NC's 13th Congressional District". April 6, 2024.
  13. ^ https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article287428305.html
  14. ^ https://www.newsobserver.com/news/politics-government/election/article288095105.html
  15. ^ "AP Race Call: Republican Brad Knott wins election to U.S. House in North Carolina's 13th Congressional District". The Journal. Associated Press.
  16. ^ a b Rowe, Ashley; Doran, Will (February 29, 2024). "Records indicate GOP candidate Brad Knott used the wrong address to vote". WRAL-TV. Raleigh, North Carolina. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  17. ^ "Knott Sworn In To Serve North Carolinians In 119th Congress". The Johnston County Report. January 7, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  18. ^ a b c "Brad Knott discusses gun rights and sports policies on social media". North Raleigh Today. Raleigh, North Carolina. April 16, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  19. ^ a b c "Brad Knott". North Carolina Health News. Retrieved May 1, 2025.
  20. ^ a b Bowen, Russ (January 2, 2025). "Local Matters: US Representative Brad Knott talks priorities ahead". CBS17. Raleigh, North Carolina. Retrieved May 2, 2025.
  21. ^ "'I'm Asking The Questions': Brad Knott Gets Into Heated Exchange With Witness Over Immigration". MSN. April 11, 2025. Retrieved April 22, 2025.
  22. ^ "Which Candidate is the Best on Marijuana Policy?".
  23. ^ "Joanna Saleeby". GoPack. Raleigh, North Carolina: North Carolina State University. May 1, 2007.
  24. ^ "Religious affiliation of members of the 119th Congress" (PDF). Pew Research Center. Retrieved January 8, 2025.
  25. ^ "Baptists gain eight seats in Congress, but strong Christian majority on decline | Baptist Press". Baptist Press. January 6, 2025.
  26. ^ "03/05/2024 OFFICIAL PRIMARY ELECTION RESULTS - STATEWIDE". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on December 27, 2024. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
  27. ^ "11/05/2024 OFFICIAL GENERAL ELECTION RESULTS - STATEWIDE". North Carolina State Board of Elections. Archived from the original on January 26, 2025. Retrieved February 2, 2025.
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U.S. House of Representatives
Preceded by Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
from North Carolina's 13th congressional district
2025–present 		Incumbent
U.S. order of precedence (ceremonial)
Preceded by United States representatives by seniority
403rd 		Succeeded by
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