State of Texas
State Representative, District 117
Philip Cortez
Democratic Incumbent- On ballot as
- Philip Cortez
- Current role
- State Representative, Texas House District 117 (first elected 2012; unseated 2014; returned two years later)
- Background
- Associate degree, Palo Alto Community College
- B.A. in political science, University of Texas at San Antonio
- Master of Public Administration, University of Texas at San Antonio
- Ph.D. in educational administration, University of Texas at Austin (2017)
- U.S. Air Force, 20 years of service (retired 2019)
- South side San Antonio native
- Experience
- Chairman, Defense and Veterans' Affairs (per his House biography)
- Member, House Committee on Homeland Security and Intergovernmental Affairs (per his House biography)
- San Antonio City Council member, District 4 (elected 2007, re-elected 2009)
- Top priorities
- In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "public education, public health, public safety, and support for military members and senior citizens"
- "I support efforts to prevent the expansion of this pilot program and to ensure that public schools receive adequate support."
- "I believe that the state should take more action to empower cities and respect their existing boundaries"
- Campaign site: "bring better paying jobs to our community"
- Tidbits
- Abortion: No public statement found
- Border and immigration: No public statement found
- Guns: No public statement found
- Public schools and vouchers: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "I have consistently opposed the passage of voucher programs and remain committed to opposing the harm they would cause in my district and across Texas."
- Property taxes: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "During every session, I have actively worked to reduce the burden of property taxes."
Claims and the record- 2021 quorum-break civil arrest warrant: The House speaker signed a civil warrant for his arrest in July 2021, during a quorum break by House Democrats. No arrest is reported. Cortez said he owed "a duty to my constituents" to stop the bill.
- Endorsements
- Texas AFL-CIO
- Combined Law Enforcement Associations of Texas (CLEAT) PAC
- TEXPAC (Texas Medical Association Political Action Committee)
- Planned Parenthood Texas Votes
- Campaign website
- philipcortez.com
Open in the full comparison: Bexar County