Texas general election: November 3, 2026
Who is running for State Representative District 117 in 2026?
Here are the candidates for State Representative District 117 on the November 3, 2026 ballot. This race is on the ballot for voters in Texas House District 117.
Positions come only from each candidate's own votes, official actions, statements and questionnaire answers, never from party labels. Every item links to its source.
Side by side
Each candidate's position on the issues this office handles, from their own record. Details and sources are in each profile below.
| Issue | Ben MostynRepublican | Philip CortezDemocrat |
|---|---|---|
| Business regulation | Cut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental rulesSaid · low | No public position |
| Immigration | Secure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadySaid · low | No single answer fits; see evidence |
| Texas power grid | No public position | Pay for more backup natural gas plantsVoted · medium |
| School choice | Yes, universal school choice for every familySaid · low | No, keep public money in traditional public schoolsQuestionnaire answer · high |
| Property taxes | Eliminate school property taxes and replace them with sales tax or state moneyQuestionnaire answer · medium | Keep cutting them and cap how fast they can riseSaid · medium |
| Policing and crime | Tougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailSaid · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence |
| Marijuana | No public position | Decriminalize small amounts (fines, not jail)Voted · medium |
| Mandatory minimums | No public position | Add or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingVoted · medium |
| Childcare and pre-K | No public position | Target free pre-K and subsidies to low-income and priority familiesOfficial action · medium |
| Kids online | No public position | Ban social media accounts for minorsVoted · medium |
| Transgender athletes | No, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsSaid · medium | No single answer fits; see evidence |
| Religion in schools | No public position | Support laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsVoted · medium |
Ben Mostyn
RepublicanRealtor and Department of Defense instructor
Ben Mostyn is a Republican, a U.S. Army veteran, a Department of Defense instructor and a realtor who was also an actor and model1. He earned a degree in intelligence studies from the University of Arizona and a master's in international security1. He faces Democratic incumbent Philip Cortez on Nov. 3, 20262.
Where they stand 6 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
Property taxesEliminate school property taxes and replace them with sales tax or state moneymedium
Questionnaire answer · medium confidence- In the San Antonio Report 2026 voter guide he listed eliminating property taxes as a top priority and said state and local governments should cut spending to close the gap. (2026) source
Policing and crimeTougher sentences, more police funding, and stricter bailmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he would end cashless bail in Texas, pass tough-on-crime legislation against street gangs and give police more tools and training. (2026) source
Transgender athletesNo, teams should be based on biological sex, with open or coed optionsmedium
Said · medium confidence- His campaign site says he supports protecting girls' sports and keeping men out of women's bathrooms. (2026) source
School choiceYes, universal school choice for every familylow
Said · low confidence- His campaign site says he believes in expanding school choice and his about page cites his strong belief in school choice and parents' full control of their children's education. (2026) source
- In the San Antonio Report 2026 voter guide he said school choice is great for parents with options but fails the under-privileged, and that education savings accounts are an avenue that can lead to better outcomes if properly used. (2026) source
ImmigrationSecure the border first; deport those with criminal records; keep legal immigration steadylow
Said · low confidence- His campaign site calls for securing the border, funding surveillance technology to catch drug smugglers and designating drug cartels as terrorist organizations. (2026) source
Business regulationCut red tape, but keep core safety and environmental ruleslow
Said · low confidence- His campaign site says he would decrease agency regulations and paperwork and pass tort reform. (2026) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Healthcare, Abortion, Guns, Energy and climate, Texas power grid, AI data centers, Curriculum and books, Housing and growth, Election rules, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Marijuana, Gender care for minors, Redistricting, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Mandatory minimums, Drug prices, Childcare and pre-K, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Kids online, School vaccines, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate, DEI programs, Religion in schools, China policy.
Philip Cortez
Democrat · IncumbentState Representative, Texas House District 117
Philip Cortez is a San Antonio Democrat who was first elected to the Texas House in 2012, lost the seat in 2014 and won it back in 20161. He is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a former San Antonio City Council member2, and he chairs the House Defense and Veterans' Affairs Committee1. He faces Republican Ben Mostyn on Nov. 3, 20263.
Where they stand 21 issues · tap any issue for the evidence
School choiceNo, keep public money in traditional public schoolshigh
Questionnaire answer · high confidence- Voted yes on the Raney amendment, which removed the education savings account (voucher) program from HB 1; the House adopted it 84 to 63. (2023-11-17) source
- Voted no on SB 2, which created a state education savings account program that can pay for private school; the House passed it 86 to 61. (2025-04-17) source
- In the San Antonio Report 2026 voter guide he said he has consistently opposed voucher programs and now supports efforts to prevent expansion of the education savings account pilot program and to ensure public schools receive adequate support. (2026) source
Religion in schoolsSupport laws requiring the Ten Commandments in classrooms and optional prayer periodsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 11, which allows schools to set a period for prayer and reading of the Bible or other religious texts; it passed the House 88 to 48. (2025-05-23) source
Texas power gridPay for more backup natural gas plantsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 2627, which created state loans for new or upgraded dispatchable power plants; it passed the House 118 to 23. (2023-05-23) source
Mandatory minimumsAdd or lengthen them for serious crimes like fentanyl traffickingmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 6, which created new offenses and increased criminal penalties for certain fentanyl-related offenses; it passed the House 124 to 21. (2023-04-28) source
Property taxesKeep cutting them and cap how fast they can risemedium
Said · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 10 in the 2025 second special session, which lowered the voter-approval tax rate limit for certain local governments; it passed the House 78 to 52 but did not become law. (2025-08-25) source
- In the San Antonio Report 2026 voter guide he said he played a key role in passing SB 4 and SB 23 (2025 property tax relief for homeowners and vulnerable Texans), passed HB 3234 to save Bexar County taxpayers $14 million, and supported a 13th check for retirees. (2026) source
MarijuanaDecriminalize small amounts (fines, not jail)medium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on HB 441 (2021), which reduced criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana; it passed the House 88 to 40 but not the Senate. (2021-04-30) source
- Voted yes on HB 218 (2023), which reduced criminal penalties for possessing small amounts of marijuana; it passed the House 87 to 59 but not the Senate. (2023-04-27) source
- Voted yes on HB 46 (2025), which expanded the state's medical low-THC cannabis program; it passed the House 122 to 21. (2025-05-13) source
- Voted yes on SB 3, which would have banned most consumable hemp-derived THC products; it passed the House 87 to 54 and was later vetoed by the governor. (2025-05-22) source
Kids onlineBan social media accounts for minorsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on the final version of HB 18 (2023), which requires digital services to verify users' ages, give parents tools and limit harmful content for minors; the House approved it 120 to 21. (2023-05-28) source
- Voted yes on HB 186, which would have prohibited minors from using social media platforms; it passed the House 116 to 25 but did not become law. (2025-04-30) source
Childcare and pre-KTarget free pre-K and subsidies to low-income and priority familiesmedium
Official action · medium confidence- Was a joint author of HB 190 (2025), relating to a grant program to provide free or reduced-tuition prekindergarten classes to certain children. (2025-02) source
- Was a joint author of HB 225 (2025), relating to a pilot program to provide grants for free or reduced-tuition prekindergarten classes to certain children. (2025-02) source
AbortionNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 8, the Texas Heartbeat Act, which bans most abortions after cardiac activity is detected and is enforced through private lawsuits; it passed the House 83 to 64. (2021-05-06) source
- Voted no on HB 1280, the law banning abortion if Roe v. Wade was overturned, with an exception only to save the life or a major bodily function of the mother; it passed the House 81 to 61. (2021-05-06) source
- Voted no on HB 7, which set prohibitions on making and providing abortion-inducing drugs and allows private lawsuits; it passed the House 82 to 48. (2025-08-28) source
GunsNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on the final version of HB 1927, which allows adults to carry handguns without a license; the House adopted it 82 to 62. (2021-05-23) source
Election rulesNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on the final version of SB 1 (2021), the election law overhaul that added ID requirements for mail ballots and banned drive-through and 24-hour voting; the House adopted it 80 to 41. (2021-08-31) source
Transgender athletesNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidenceGender care for minorsNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 14, which banned gender transition procedures and treatments for minors; the House passed it 87 to 56. (2023-05-15) source
DEI programsNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 17, which banned diversity, equity and inclusion offices and related practices at public colleges; it passed the House 83 to 62. (2023-05-22) source
China policyNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 17, which restricts purchases of Texas real property by certain foreign governments, entities and people, including from China; it passed the House 86 to 59. (2025-05-09) source
ImmigrationNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on SB 4, which made illegal entry into Texas a state crime and allowed state judges to order people to leave the country; it passed the House 83 to 61. (2023-11-14) source
- Voted no on SB 8, which requires certain sheriffs to enter agreements with U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement to enforce federal immigration law; it passed the House 86 to 47. (2025-05-25) source
RedistrictingNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 4, the 2025 mid-decade redrawing of Texas congressional districts; it passed the House 88 to 52. (2025-08-20) source
School vaccinesNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 1586, which made the school vaccine exemption affidavit form easier to obtain; it passed the House 83 to 54. (2025-05-14) source
Policing and crimeNo single answer fitsmedium
Housing and growthNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted yes on SB 15 (2025), which bars certain large cities from requiring large minimum lot sizes for new homes; it passed the House 86 to 43. (2025-05-28) source
- Voted no on the final version of SB 15 (2025), which bars certain large cities from requiring large minimum lot sizes for new homes; the House approved it 78 to 57. (2025-06-01) source
Curriculum and booksNo single answer fitsmedium
Voted · medium confidence- Voted no on HB 900, which regulated library materials sold to or kept in public school libraries; it passed the House 95 to 52. (2023-04-20) source
- Voted no on SB 13, which set up local school library advisory councils and parental rights over school library materials; it passed the House 86 to 55. (2025-05-28) source
- Voted no on the final version of SB 13 (2025), which set up local school library advisory councils and gave parents more say over school library materials; the House approved it 81 to 48. (2025-05-31) source
No public position found on: Safety net programs, Minimum wage, Business regulation, Healthcare, Energy and climate, AI data centers, Judges, Politicians trading stocks, Term limits, Campaign finance, Electoral College, Ranked-choice voting, Death penalty, Qualified immunity, Drug prices, Paid leave, Student loans, AI regulation, Nuclear power, E-Verify mandate.
Last reviewed 2026-10-06. Spotted something wrong? Every claim links to its source so you can check it yourself.