Philip Cortez
2017 - Present
2025
7
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 |
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• 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 |
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• Homeland Security & Public Safety |
• Public Health |
Sponsored legislation
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 | ||
✔ | Philip Cortez (D) | 58.0 | 39,874 | |
Ben Mostyn (R) | 42.0 | 28,892 |
Total votes: 68,766 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Philip Cortez | 100.0 | 5,579 |
Total votes: 5,579 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Ben Mostyn | 100.0 | 4,943 |
Total votes: 4,943 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Philip Cortez (D) | 62.6 | 27,821 | |
Aaron Schwope (R) | 37.4 | 16,620 |
Total votes: 44,441 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Philip Cortez | 100.0 | 6,659 |
Total votes: 6,659 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Aaron Schwope | 100.0 | 4,384 |
Total votes: 4,384 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Philip Cortez (D) | 54.9 | 50,092 | |
Carlos Antonio Raymond (R) | 41.3 | 37,711 | ||
Tony Quinones (L) | 3.9 | 3,518 |
Total votes: 91,321 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Philip Cortez | 100.0 | 14,937 |
Total votes: 14,937 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Carlos Antonio Raymond | 100.0 | 7,722 |
Total votes: 7,722 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Tony Quinones (L) |
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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Campaign finance
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 | ||
✔ | Philip Cortez (D) | 57.4 | 32,976 | |
Michael Berlanga (R) | 42.6 | 24,480 |
Total votes: 57,456 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Philip Cortez | 63.4 | 3,943 | |
Terisha DeDeaux | 36.6 | 2,275 |
Total votes: 6,218 | ||||
= 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 | ||
✔ | Michael Berlanga | 72.1 | 3,354 | |
Carlos Antonio Raymond | 27.9 | 1,297 |
Total votes: 4,651 | ||||
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey. | ||||
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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 | ||||
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Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
Democratic | 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 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Democratic | 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 | ||
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Party | Candidate | |
Republican | Rick Galindo Incumbent (unopposed) |
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]
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]
Party | Candidate | Vote % | Votes | |
---|---|---|---|---|
Democratic | Philip Cortez | 53.8% | 22,397 | |
Republican | John Garza Incumbent | 46.2% | 19,214 | |
Total Votes | 41,611 |
.
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.
Scorecards
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
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2023, click [show]. |
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In 2023, the Texas State Legislature was in session from January 10 to May 29.
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2022
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2022, click [show]. |
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In 2022, the Texas State Legislature was not in session. |
2021
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2021, click [show]. |
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In 2021, the Texas State Legislature was in session from January 12 to May 31.
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2020
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2020, click [show]. |
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In 2020, the Texas State Legislature was not in session. |
2019
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2019, click [show]. |
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In 2019, the Texas State Legislature was in its 86th legislative session from January 8 through May 27.
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2018
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2018, click [show]. |
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In 2018, the Texas State Legislature did not hold a regular session. |
2017
To view all the scorecards we found for this legislator in 2017, click [show]. |
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In 2017, the Texas State Legislature was in its 85th legislative session from January 10 through May 29. A special session was held from July 18 to August 15.
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Personal
Note: Please contact us if the personal information below requires an update.
Cortez married Debbie Cruz-Cortez in January 2021.[13]
See also
2024 Elections
External links
Candidate Texas House of Representatives District 117 |
Officeholder Texas House of Representatives District 117 |
Personal |
Footnotes
- ↑ Ballotpedia's Elections Team, “Email communication with Philip Cortez," January 3, 2022
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "Important 2016 Election Dates," accessed December 14, 2015
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "2016 General Election," accessed December 2, 2016
- ↑ 4.0 4.1 Texas Secretary of State, "2016 March Primary Election Candidate Filings by County," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ 5.0 5.1 Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History results," accessed August 22, 2016
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current ELECTION HISTORY," accessed December 2, 2014
- ↑ The Libertarian Party of Texas, "2014 Texas Representative Candidate List," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ Green Party of Texas, "Greens Release Candidate List," accessed July 30, 2014
- ↑ Texas Secretary of State, "1992 - Current Election History," accessed February 17, 2014
- ↑ Note: This text is quoted verbatim from the original source. Any inconsistencies are attributable to the original source.
- ↑ Philip Cortez, "Issues," accessed February 25, 2016
- ↑ philipcortez.com, "Issues," accessed February 14, 2014
- ↑ Information submitted to Ballotpedia via email on January 3, 2022
Political offices | ||
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Preceded by - |
Texas House of Representatives District 117 2017-Present |
Succeeded by - |
Preceded by - |
Texas House of Representatives District 117 2013-2015 |
Succeeded by - |