Philip Cortez
Representative · State house · Texas · District 117
Democratic
Biography
A south side San Antonio native, State Representative Dr. Philip Cortez was first elected in 2012 to serve his lifelong community as state representative for District 117. Prior to his position as state representative, Cortez was elected in 2007 and re-elected in 2009 to the San Antonio City Council. As councilman, he represented District 4, focusing on the development of the district’s neighborhoods and on improvement projects citywide. In 2019, Representative Cortez retired from the U.S. Air Force after proudly serving for 20 years. He served for seven years as an enlisted airman with the 433rd Airlift Wing at Lackland Air Force Base, eventually rising to Staff Sergeant. In 2006, Representative Cortez was commissioned as Second Lieutenant. He was deployed to the Middle East in April 2016 for six months in support of Operation Inherent Resolve.
On the record
- Education
- Palo Alto Community College, associate degree, 2000; University of Texas at San Antonio, Bachelor of Arts in Political Science, 2002; University of Texas at San Antonio, Master of Public Administration, 2007; University of Texas at Austin, Ph.D. in Educational Administration, 2017
- Profession
- State Representative; City Councilman; U.S. Air Force Officer
- Born
- 1978-07-07
- Birthplace
- San Antonio, TX
- Family
- Married; one child.
Contact
- Capitol office
- Room 4N.3, P.O. Box 12910, Austin, TX 78711 · 512-463-0269
- Phone
- 512-463-0269
- philip.cortez@house.texas.gov