Philip Cortez is from Southside San Antonio. He earned his associate's degree from Palo Alto Community College, his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas at San Antonio, his master's degree in public administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and his PhD in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He lives with his wife, Debbie, and their daughter. 

Phillip served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. He served for 7 years as an enlisted airman with the 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, rising to staff sergeant, and was commissioned as second lieutenant. He was deployed to the Middle East for 6 months to support Operation Inherent Resolve. 

Philip currently serves as the State Representative for Texas, District 117. He was first elected in 2012 and is serving his 4th term. Previously, he was elected to the San Antonio City Council, District 4.

As a state representative, sponsored legislation to prevent small businesses from losing federal funding.

Helped pass constitutional amendments lowering property taxes for disabled veterans

- As a state representative, sponsored legislation to prevent small businesses from losing federal funding.
- Helped pass constitutional amendments lowering property taxes for disabled veterans

Economy

As a state representative, 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.

- As a state representative, 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.

Public Safety

- Supports improving Medicaid for seniors.

Healthcare

Supports increasing public school funding and reducing high-stakes testing.

Believes that children should never be short-changed, that teachers need adequate resources, and that students deserve classrooms where they can succeed.

Supports making state funding available for students who earn college credits while still in high school.

- Supports increasing public school funding and reducing high-stakes testing.
- Believes that children should never be short-changed, that teachers need adequate resources, and that students deserve classrooms where they can succeed.
- Supports making state funding available for students who earn college credits while still in high school.

Education

As of January 22, 2026, Philip Cortez’s website did not contain information on this issue.

Energy & the Environment

Voting & Elections

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Philip Cortez

Phillip  served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. He served for 7 years as an enlisted airman with the 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, rising to staff sergeant, and was commissioned as second lieutenant. He was deployed to the Middle East for 6 months to support Operation Inherent Resolve. 

Philip Cortez  is from Southside San Antonio. He earned his associate's degree from Palo Alto Community College, his bachelor's degree in political science from the University of Texas at San Antonio, his master's degree in public administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio, and his PhD in educational administration from the University of Texas at Austin. He lives with his wife, Debbie, and their daughter. 

Phillip  served in the U.S. Air Force for 20 years. He served for seven years as an enlisted airman with the 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, rising to staff sergeant, and was commissioned as second lieutenant in 2006. He was deployed to the Middle East in 2016 for six months to support Operation Inherent Resolve. 

- Your state representative represents the interests of your local district in the Texas House of Representatives. The State House of Representatives, along with the State Senate, makes up your state lawmaking body: the Texas State Legislature
- Your state representative can author, sponsor, and vote on bills that may become state laws. 
- There are 150 members of the Texas House of Representatives, each representing a single district. Representatives must be at least 21 years old and reside in the state for at least two years before their election. 
- State representatives are elected to two-year terms during even-numbered years. There are no term limits. 
- State representatives make $7,200 annually in addition to a $221 payment per day during legislative sessions and mileage reimbursements.