Rep. Cortez, Philip

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. He earned his Associate's degree from Palo Alto Community College in 2000 and a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2002. Representative Cortez later earned a Master of Public Administration from the University of Texas at San Antonio in 2007. He earned his Ph.D. in Educational Administration from the University of Texas at Austin in December 2017.
 
 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. He fought to improve police and fire departments, clean up parks, and modernize libraries throughout the district. Mayor Julian Castro selected Cortez to serve as chairman of the Audit, Infrastructure and Growth Committees, President of the San Antonio Housing Trust Public Facility Corporation, and as a member of the Governance Committee.
 
 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. Rep. Cortez was awarded a Commendation Medal (First Oak Leaf Cluster) for Outstanding Achievement during his deployment. 

During his tenure as state representative, Rep. Cortez has successfully passed legislation supporting veterans and their families, improving our public schools, protecting senior citizens, and bringing jobs to Bexar County. Additionally, he stood up for property rights through annexation reform on behalf of the citizens of West Bexar County. He currently serves on the House Committee on Insurance and the House Committee on Urban Affairs.

Rep. Cortez is married to Debbie Cruz-Cortez, J.D. She received her law degree from SMU Dedman School of Law and now practices immigration and criminal defense in South Texas. They welcomed their first child, Camila Cortez on May 18, 2024. They are proud to serve the residents of House District 117.