State Representative, District 117 - Texas Ballot Compare

Ben Mostyn

Republican

On ballot as: Ben Mostyn
Current role: Realtor and management consultant
Background: Associate degree, Cochise College
Bachelor's in intelligence studies and master's in international security, University of Arizona
U.S. Army veteran
Department of Defense Certified Master Instructor (per campaign)
Nearly five years deployed, much of it in Afghanistan (per campaign)
Former print model, actor and standup comedian, New York City (per campaign)
Experience: Republican nominee, Texas House District 117 (2024)
Republican primary (March 3, 2026): advanced
Top priorities: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "Fix Public Schools"
"Eliminate Property Taxes: Property taxes are crushing Texans by driving up the cost of living."
"Finish Our Roads & Highways"
"Strengthen the Economy with Manufacturing Jobs"
"we need a moratorium on school and municipal bonds"
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: "School Choice is great for parents with options, but fails the under-privileged."
Property taxes: In a San Antonio Report questionnaire: "Eliminate Property Taxes: Property taxes are crushing Texans by driving up the cost of living."
Endorsements: None found in our research
Campaign website: mostynfortexas.com

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