Joanna Knott: Faith, Family, and Fashion on the Campaign Trail
By Isabelle Redfield
“Don’t look too closely!” Joanna Knott insisted with a relaxed laugh. But I couldn’t help it— even her choice of earrings on an ordinary Thursday morning was something to admire.
Joanna belongs to a remarkable group of women who quietly shape their families and communities. As the owner of the cult-favorite boutique Monkee’s of Raleigh, she has empowered women in North Carolina since 2018. But in this season, she’s been catapulted into public life. After all, when your husband, Brad Knott— a renowned prosecutor for the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Eastern North Carolina— decides to run for Congress, you step up to the plate.
“There’s no manual for this,” she says with a smile. “You just get up every day and focus on what matters: faith, family, and the people around you.”
With two daughters under five, a campaign to win, and a store to manage, there’s little downtime on Joanna’s calendar. It’s go-time, all the time, raising the age-old question: How does she do it all? Or, perhaps more pointedly for our demographic: Is there a crash-course for when my husband says he wants to run for office?
We sat down with Joanna— a woman at the intersection of fashion, entrepreneurship, family life, and now, politics. What do women like Joanna have in common, and what can we learn from them? In practice, they are polished, determined, captivating, and, above all, authentic. These are the traits that first stood out to me about Joanna, and they reflect the qualities we see in many women leading the charge to save this country while offering mentorship along the way. There is golden thread woven throughout the story: this work is far bigger than “I”— it’s for all of us.
One of the best ways to refine your convictions is by meeting new people. Consider the variety of individuals that figures like Lara Trump, Dana Perino, or Karoline Leavitt interact with in a single day. Through trial and error, wear and tear, and unexpected conversations with toddlers and seniors alike, you uncover revelations that remind you of your purpose and the story God has hand-picked for your life. It’s one of the most rewarding aspects of a political campaign; if you drill down to it, this is why most people catch the campaign bug: it’s all about the people. The connections you make keep you going.
Joanna agrees. “It’s wonderful but exhausting,” she says. “The stories I’ve heard from people who are deeply concerned about the country and want to restore it in any way they can—whether it’s securing our borders, improving schools, or supporting a free economy— are galvanizing. Their spirit, despite the circumstances, is revitalizing.”
Today, she emphasizes, Brad is “America First” all the way, but this deep reverence for our country’s history and his run didn’t come out of left field. Brad’s grandfather, now 97 years old, fought in the Battle of the Bulge during World War II. The faith instilled in him by his parents prepared him for the stress, steady leadership, and endurance required to spend seven years convicting the worst of the worst: drug kingpins, human traffickers, gangs, and violent organized crime. After almost a decade as a federal prosecutor, Brad has seen first-hand the toll open borders take on every community— from housing to hospitals. Drugs, overdoses, violence, retail theft, and financial crimes: the list goes on. His “unique window in” makes him no ordinary career politician; but a G.S.D. candidate who drove out the failing leadership of Kelly Daughtry in District 13 at a critical juncture and now faces off against far-left Frank Pierce.
As Joanna, her trusted right-hand Sydnie Snipes of Sydnie & Co., and I continued our conversation, we agreed: there’s no question our nation is at a turning point. We discussed the faithful Americans crippled by a derelict government. This was most recently evident in their home state, where Western North Carolinians continue to suffer after Hurricane Helene as FEMA, under Kamala Harris, slow-walks aid. When I asked Joanna the biggest lesson she’s learned in this busy season, she replied, “We all have something to contribute. I urge everyone to get creative, figure out their purpose, and help however they can. This country and our neighbors are worth fighting for.”
The Conservateur has had its eyes on Joanna for years now, certainly pre-campaign. It’s no secret that fashion, as a power tool, is an art to behold in public life. On the campaign trail, Joanna describes her wardrobe as “traditional with a twist.” Unless it’s a day of heavy volunteering or door-knocking, you’ll find her in heels. Looking back, cultivating Monkee’s was a precursor to achieving a balance between impeccable and natural on-camera style.
“We have high-end event wear, but our focus— and where I think we serve women best— is through capsule wardrobes.” That looks like elevated, everyday classic pieces from both independent labels and well-known brands. From the bustling markets of New York City to the fast-paced campaign trail, one of her top picks for functional yet stylish design this season is Favorite Daughter.
Joanna’s Top 5
Beyond fashion, perhaps her most cherished activity is studying the Bible. For Joanna, leading her daughters to Christ involves introducing them to scripture from an early age and inviting them to Bible study. “The accountability and positive impact of a group Bible study cannot be overstated,” she emphasizes. To further enrich her relationship with the Lord, she keeps a journal to document these busy months and look back on answered prayers. “Routines and safe environments are paramount to children’s development, intuition, and inspiration,” she explains. “That’s why daily and weekly traditions grounded in faith offer both serenity and stability.”
In this election year, the Knotts represent more than just a political campaign. They embody the hope and promise of what a family united in purpose can achieve— whether creating meaningful change in Washington or simply raising their daughters to be strong, faithful, patriotic young women. At the heart of it is Joanna Knott, a woman who exemplifies how God prepares us to thrive in multiple roles— mother, business owner, wife– and advocate for change.
Now, North Carolina just needs Brad Knott.
Isabelle Redfield is the co-founder and creative director at the Conservateur. She previously worked for the Trump White House and the United States Senate. She moved to Washington, DC, after graduating from Southern Methodist University in 2021. Isabelle now lives and works in Texas.
With a background in graphic design and marketing, and hailing from a long line of entrepreneurs, Sydnie founded Sydnie & Co., a creative marketing agency. She is selective about the clients her team takes on, ensuring they align with values of truth and free enterprise. Both Joanna and Brad Knott are among Sydnie & Co.’s esteemed clients.
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