Philip Cortez

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Philip Cortez
Image of Philip Cortez
Texas House of Representatives District 117
Tenure

2017 - Present

Term ends

2025

Years in position

7

Prior offices
Texas House of Representatives District 117

Compensation

Base salary

$7,200/year

Per diem

$221/day

Elections and appointments
Last elected

November 5, 2024

Education

Bachelor's

University of Texas, San Antonio, 2002

Graduate

University of Texas, San Antonio, 2007

Ph.D

University of Texas at Austin, 2017

Contact

Philip Cortez (Democratic Party) is a member of the Texas House of Representatives, representing District 117. He assumed office in 2017. His current term ends on January 14, 2025.

Cortez (Democratic Party) ran for re-election to the Texas House of Representatives to represent District 117. He won in the general election on November 5, 2024.

Biography

Cortez earned his B.S. in political science and his M.S. in public administration from the University of Texas, San Antonio in 2002 and 2007, respectively. He earned a Ph.D. in educational administration and leadership from the University of Texas at Austin in 2017.[1]

Committee assignments

2023-2024

Cortez was assigned to the following committees:

2021-2022

Cortez was assigned to the following committees:

2019-2020

Cortez was assigned to the following committees:

2017 legislative session

At the beginning of the 2017 legislative session, this legislator served on the following committees:

Texas committee assignments, 2017
Public Health
Special Purpose Districts

2013-2014

At the beginning of the 2013 legislative session, Cortez served on the following committees:

Texas committee assignments, 2013
Homeland Security & Public Safety
Public Health

The following table lists bills this person sponsored as a legislator, according to BillTrack50 and sorted by action history. Bills are sorted by the date of their last action. The following list may not be comprehensive. To see all bills this legislator sponsored, click on the legislator's name in the title of the table.


Elections

2024

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2024

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez defeated Ben Mostyn in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on November 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Philip Cortez
Philip Cortez (D)
 
58.0
 
39,874
Image of Ben Mostyn
Ben Mostyn (R) Candidate Connection
 
42.0
 
28,892

Total votes: 68,766
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Philip Cortez
Philip Cortez
 
100.0
 
5,579

Total votes: 5,579
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Ben Mostyn advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 5, 2024.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Ben Mostyn
Ben Mostyn Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
4,943

Total votes: 4,943
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

Endorsements

Ballotpedia did not identify endorsements for Cortez in this election.

2022

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez defeated Aaron Schwope in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on November 8, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Philip Cortez
Philip Cortez (D)
 
62.6
 
27,821
Image of Aaron Schwope
Aaron Schwope (R) Candidate Connection
 
37.4
 
16,620

Total votes: 44,441
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Philip Cortez
Philip Cortez
 
100.0
 
6,659

Total votes: 6,659
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Aaron Schwope advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 1, 2022.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Aaron Schwope
Aaron Schwope Candidate Connection
 
100.0
 
4,384

Total votes: 4,384
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

2020

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2020

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez defeated Carlos Antonio Raymond and Tony Quinones in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on November 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Philip Cortez
Philip Cortez (D)
 
54.9
 
50,092
Image of Carlos Antonio Raymond
Carlos Antonio Raymond (R)
 
41.3
 
37,711
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Tony Quinones (L)
 
3.9
 
3,518

Total votes: 91,321
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez advanced from the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Philip Cortez
Philip Cortez
 
100.0
 
14,937

Total votes: 14,937
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Carlos Antonio Raymond advanced from the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 3, 2020.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Carlos Antonio Raymond
Carlos Antonio Raymond
 
100.0
 
7,722

Total votes: 7,722
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Libertarian convention

Libertarian convention for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Tony Quinones advanced from the Libertarian convention for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 21, 2020.

Candidate
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Tony Quinones (L)

Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Campaign finance

2018

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2018

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez defeated Michael Berlanga in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on November 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Philip Cortez
Philip Cortez (D)
 
57.4
 
32,976
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Michael Berlanga (R)
 
42.6
 
24,480

Total votes: 57,456
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Democratic primary election

Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez defeated Terisha DeDeaux in the Democratic primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Image of Philip Cortez
Philip Cortez
 
63.4
 
3,943
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Terisha DeDeaux
 
36.6
 
2,275

Total votes: 6,218
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Republican primary election

Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Michael Berlanga defeated Carlos Antonio Raymond in the Republican primary for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on March 6, 2018.

Candidate
%
Votes
Silhouette Placeholder Image.png
Michael Berlanga
 
72.1
 
3,354
Image of Carlos Antonio Raymond
Carlos Antonio Raymond
 
27.9
 
1,297

Total votes: 4,651
Candidate Connection = candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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2016

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2016

Elections for the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2016. The primary election was held on March 1, 2016, and the general election was held on November 8, 2016. The candidate filing deadline was December 14, 2015.[2]

Philip Cortez defeated incumbent Rick Galindo in the Texas House of Representatives District 117 general election.[3]

Texas House of Representatives, District 117 General Election, 2016
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Philip Cortez 51.34% 29,319
     Republican Rick Galindo Incumbent 48.66% 27,783
Total Votes 57,102
Source: Texas Secretary of State


Philip Cortez ran unopposed in the Texas House of Representatives District 117 Democratic Primary.[4][5]

Texas House of Representatives, District 117 Democratic Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Democratic Green check mark transparent.png Philip Cortez  (unopposed)


Incumbent Rick Galindo ran unopposed in the Texas House of Representatives District 117 Republican Primary.[4][5]

Texas House of Representatives, District 117 Republican Primary, 2016
Party Candidate
    Republican Green check mark transparent.png Rick Galindo Incumbent (unopposed)

2014

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2014

Elections for all 150 seats in the Texas House of Representatives took place in 2014. A primary election took place on March 4, 2014. Those candidates who did not receive 50 percent or more of the vote in their party primary on March 4 faced an additional May 27 primary runoff. The general election was held on November 4, 2014. The signature filing deadline for candidates wishing to run in these elections was December 9, 2013. Incumbent Philip Cortez was unopposed in the Democratic primary. Rick Galindo defeated John Garza in the Republican primary. Cortez was defeated by Galindo in the general election.[6][7][8]

Texas House of Representatives, District 117 General Election, 2014
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Republican Green check mark transparent.pngRick Galindo 52.7% 12,835
     Democratic Philip Cortez Incumbent 47.3% 11,521
Total Votes 24,356

2012

See also: Texas House of Representatives elections, 2012

Cortez won election in the 2012 election for Texas House of Representatives, District 117. Cortez advanced to the July 31 primary runoff where he defeated Tina Torres. Cortez defeated incumbent John Garza (R) in the general election, which took place on November 6, 2012.[9]

Texas House of Representatives, District 117, General Election, 2012
Party Candidate Vote % Votes
     Democratic Green check mark transparent.pngPhilip Cortez 53.8% 22,397
     Republican John Garza Incumbent 46.2% 19,214
Total Votes 41,611
Texas House of Representatives District 117 Democratic Primary, 2012
Candidate Vote % Votes
Green check mark transparent.pngPhilip Cortez (advanced to runoff) 35.1% 1,343
Green check mark transparent.pngTina Torres (advanced to runoff) 34% 1,302
Ken Mireles 30.9% 1,185
Total Votes 3,830

.

Campaign themes

2024

Ballotpedia survey responses

See also: Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection

Philip Cortez did not complete Ballotpedia's 2024 Candidate Connection survey.

2022

Philip Cortez did not complete Ballotpedia's 2022 Candidate Connection survey.

2020

Philip Cortez did not complete Ballotpedia's 2020 Candidate Connection survey.

2016

Cortez's campaign website highlighted the following issues:

Creating High Paying Jobs: During his time in the legislature, Philip worked to attract better paying jobs, improve employment rates, and give small business owners the ability to be competitive. He also sponsored legislation to prevent small businesses from losing billions in federal funding and worked to support Port San Antonio.

Improving Our Schools: We need to ensure that our children are never short-changed, that we provide needed resources for our teachers, and make sure that we have classrooms where students can succeed. Philip's strong committment to education has been evident: he fought to restore over $4 billion in public school funding, lower the reliance on high stakes testing, and ensured that state funding would be available for students who look to earn college credits while still in high school.

Support Our Veterans: Every day, our nations finest put their lives on the line to ensure that our families are able to enjoy our freedoms. We must support them when they are in the field, when they come home, and in retirement. While previously serving as our State Representative, Philip has worked to make it easier for returning veterans to find jobs, fought for increased funding for the Texas Veterans Commission, and helped pass constitutional amendments lowering property taxes for disabled veterans. Protect our Senior Citizens: By pushing for legislation to decrease the burdens on seniors receiving Medicaid and supporting legislation to prevent abuse and neglect of people receiving home health care, Philip is making certain that those who have made our community great are able to live their golden years in comfort.[10]

—Philip Cortez[11]

2014

Cortez's website highlighted the following campaign themes:[12]

Create High Paying Jobs

  • Excerpt: "Attract better paying jobs, higher employment rates, and give small business owners the ability to be competitive."

Improve Our Schools

  • Excerpt: "Ensure that our children are never short-changed, provide needed resources for our teachers, and make sure that we have classrooms where students can succeed."

Support Our Veterans

  • Excerpt: "Every day, our nations finest put their lives on the line to ensure that our families are able to enjoy our freedoms. We must support them when they are in the field, when they come home, and in retirement."

Protect our Senior Citizens

  • Excerpt: "Make certain that those who have made our community great are able to live their golden years in comfort."

2012

Cortez's website highlighted the following campaign themes:

CREATE HIGH PAYING JOBS

  • Excerpt: "Attract better paying jobs, higher employment rates, and give small business owners the ability to be competitive."

IMPROVE OUR SCHOOLS

  • Excerpt: "Ensure that our children are never short-changed, provide needed resources for our teachers, and make sure that we have classrooms where students can succeed."

SUPPORT OUR VETERANS

  • Excerpt: "Every day, our nations finest put their lives on the line to ensure that our families are able to enjoy our freedoms. We must support them when they are in the field, when they come home, and in retirement."

PROTECT OUR SENIOR CITIZENS

  • Excerpt: "Make certain that those who have made our community great are able to live their golden years in comfort."

Campaign finance summary


Note: The finance data shown here comes from the disclosures required of candidates and parties. Depending on the election or state, this may represent only a portion of all the funds spent on their behalf. Satellite spending groups may or may not have expended funds related to the candidate or politician on whose page you are reading this disclaimer. Campaign finance data from elections may be incomplete. For elections to federal offices, complete data can be found at the FEC website. Click here for more on federal campaign finance law and here for more on state campaign finance law.


Philip Cortez campaign contribution history
YearOfficeStatusContributionsExpenditures
2024* Texas House of Representatives District 117Won general$185,807 $138,391
2022Texas House of Representatives District 117Won general$288,622 $294,481
2020Texas House of Representatives District 117Won general$230,832 N/A**
2018Texas House of Representatives District 117Won general$310,021 N/A**
2014Texas State House, District 117Lost $355,540 N/A**
2012Texas State House, District 117Won $410,605 N/A**
** Data on expenditures is not available for this election cycle
Note: Totals above reflect only available data.

Scorecards

See also: State legislative scorecards and State legislative scorecards in Texas

A scorecard evaluates a legislator’s voting record. Its purpose is to inform voters about the legislator’s political positions. Because scorecards have varying purposes and methodologies, each report should be considered on its own merits. For example, an advocacy group’s scorecard may assess a legislator’s voting record on one issue while a state newspaper’s scorecard may evaluate the voting record in its entirety.

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Click here for an overview of legislative scorecards in all 50 states. To contribute to the list of Texas scorecards, email suggestions to editor@ballotpedia.org.


2023


2022


2021


2020


2019


2018


2017







Personal

Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Cortez married Debbie Cruz-Cortez in January 2021.[13]

See also


External links

Footnotes

Political offices
Preceded by
-
Texas House of Representatives District 117
2017-Present
Succeeded by
-
Preceded by
-
Texas House of Representatives District 117
2013-2015
Succeeded by
-


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