Cortez, age 46, is seeking his fifth consecutive term in the Texas House. A former San Antonio City Council member and U.S. Air Force veteran, he is a member of the House Committee on Urban Affairs and the House Insurance Committee.
Hear from the candidate
Please tell voters about yourself.
My name is Philip Cortez, and I am a proud product of House District 117, where I was born and raised. As a retired Air Force Captain with 20 years of service, it was important for me to live as close to the base as possible. I hold a Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin.
I have had the honor of serving as the State Representative for House District 117 for 12 years. Prior to that, I served as the City Councilman for District 4. Working to improve my community has been my passion after almost 20 years of public service. My wife Debbie and I are proudly raising our newborn baby girl, Camila Sofia, and hope to ensure a bright future here.
What three issues do you consider most pressing for your district and how do you plan to address them?
In House District 117, residents and local advocates worked with our office to identify the most critical issues in our district, such as Public Education, Veterans, and Senior Citizens issues. Throughout the legislative sessions, I focused on introducing and passing legislation that directly benefited residents in my district.
For example, I introduced House Bill 256 to establish an employment policy that includes anti-bullying measures to address workplace bullying against school teachers.
Additionally, I passed HB 912 to establish a long-overdue specialty license plate for the Borinqueneers Congressional Gold Medal recipients as a way to honor our veterans for their service. Furthermore, Senate Bill 792 requires individuals parking in handicapped-accessible parking spaces to have a license plate or a placard that features the International Symbol of Access to ensure plenty of parking for those in need.
Do you support the creation of a school voucher program? If so, what specifics are you looking for? Are you willing to leave the next session without approving additional public school funding?
No, I strongly oppose any school voucher program. I have voted against school vouchers numerous times in the past legislative session and will continue to do so for any attempts to implement the program.
Describe how you plan to be an effective lawmaker in a governing body where leadership controls much of the agenda.
I am grateful for the years of experience I have gained working with city and state government, which have given me the expertise to be an effective lawmaker. I fully understand the legislative process and its nuances and the value of my connections and network within the legislative body. My staff and I work diligently to carefully craft legislation that can be implemented into law, and see it through the legislative process, averaging about seven bills a session.
How do you solicit input and feedback from residents in your district?
As a long-term representative for the people of my district, I prioritize community engagement through events that provide individuals with resources and face-to-face time with me. I am also active on social media and have a district office conveniently located for individuals who may need my assistance the most. My team is quick to help anyone in need as well!
