Born to American parents in Subic Bay, Republic of the Philippines, Knotwell spent most of his childhood in Southern California, near San Diego. Knotwell's father was a career United States Navy sailor who spent half his career as an enlisted sailor and half as a Commissioned Warrant Officer.
During the 2010 Utah Republican neighborhood caucus, Knotwell was elected to serve as precinct chair, county delegate, and state delegate. He participated in the state and county party conventions and served his term until 2012. In 2011, Knotwell ran for the Herriman City Council to represent District 1. He was unsuccessful in unseating incumbent city councilman Matt Robinson.
In March 2012, Knotwell announced his intention to seek the Republican nomination for Utah House of Representatives. Following the 2010 United States census, the seat was occupied by Daniel McCay was redistricted and became an open seat. Four candidates sought the nomination and Knotwell won on the first ballot with 76% of the vote. In the November 2012 general election he won the popular vote and was designated representative-elect until taking office on January 1, 2013.
Utah State House of Representatives
60th Utah State Legislature (2013–2014)
Committee Assignments
Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Committee, Member
House Revenue & Taxation Standing Committee, Member
House Transportation Committee, Member
Public Utilities & Technology Interim Committee, Member
61st Utah State Legislature (2015–2016)
Committee Assignments
House Business & Labor Standing Committee, Vice Chair
House Rules Committee, Vice Chair
Infrastructure and General Government Appropriations Committee, Member
House Revenue & Taxation Standing Committee, Member
IT Steering Committee, Member
62nd Utah State Legislature (2017–2018)
Representative Knotwell was elected to serve as the majority assistant whip during the 62nd Utah State Legislature. In this capacity, he assists other members of the majority elected leadership to craft the state budget, negotiate priorities among the Utah Senate and governor's office and secure votes among the Utah House of Representatives.
Committee Assignments
Executive Appropriations, Member
House Business & Labor Standing Committee, Member
House Transportation Standing Committee, Member
IT Steering Committee, Member
Personal life
Knotwell lives in Herriman, Utah,[4][5] and works as senior vice president of global sales at Nuvi. Knotwell and his wife, Jill, have five children.[6]
Electoral history
2012 election
Utah House of Representatives, 52nd District, Republican Nominating Convention