The Ballot Brief
Bexar County, Texas

Texas House District 117

2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 117, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Ben Mostyn and Philip Cortez. Candidate information follows official Bexar County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

About this race

Ben Mostyn (Republican), Philip Cortez (Democratic) are on the November 3 ballot for Texas House District 117; Philip Cortez is the sitting member, per the Texas House of Representatives' official roster. Nominees were chosen at the March 3 primary (or a May 26 runoff) or advanced unopposed; the field is the Texas Secretary of State's certified 2026 General Election candidate list. This seat is elected by district; only the district covering your address appears on your ballot.

What this office does

State legislator. State legislators write and vote on state laws and the state budget, which fund schools, roads, prisons, universities and health programs, and set the rules for local governments and elections. Each member represents one district and serves on committees that shape bills before a floor vote. Terms are two years in most state houses and four in most state senates.

This race. Elected by district: only voters who live in the district see this race on their ballot. The sitting officeholder, Philip Cortez, is on the ballot.

Texas › Bexar County › Texas House District 117

Ben Mostyn

Republican

Top priorities
  • Tort reform to protect businesses and support bringing manufacturing to Texas
  • Oppose reducing police funding and support ending cashless bail
  • Direct additional resources and training to the San Antonio Police Department

Per the voter guide candidate directory.

Biography

Ben Mostyn is a U.S. Army veteran and Department of Defense certified master instructor who holds degrees from Cochise College and the University of Arizona, including a master's degree in political science, according to his campaign website. He is the Republican nominee for Texas House District 117.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Philip Cortez

Philip Cortez

Democratic Incumbent

Top priorities
  • Support for veterans and their families
  • Public school improvement
  • Protections for senior citizens

Per the Texas House of Representatives official biography.

Biography

Philip Cortez is the Democratic incumbent for Texas House District 117, first elected in 2012. He retired from the U.S. Air Force in 2019 after 20 years of service, including a 2016 deployment to the Middle East, and previously served on the San Antonio City Council from 2007 to 2009, according to his official biography. He holds degrees from Palo Alto College, the University of Texas at San Antonio, and the University of Texas at Austin, and chairs the House Defense and Veterans' Affairs Committee.

Campaign site (opens in a new tab)
Next on your ballotTexas House District 118

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Questions about this race

Who is running for Texas House District 117 in 2026?

2 candidates are tracked for Texas House District 117, headed to a November 3, 2026 runoff: Ben Mostyn and Philip Cortez. Candidate information follows official Bexar County election filings; verify with the official election office linked below.

When is the Texas House District 117 election in Texas?

Election Day is Tuesday, November 3, 2026. Registration deadlines, early voting dates and mail ballot rules for Texas are on the Texas election hub at theballotbrief.com.

How do I see my exact Bexar County ballot?

Enter your ZIP code in the lookup at theballotbrief.com for the statewide and congressional races, or a full street address to add the county, city and district contests for that location.

Verify this race

Candidate roster from official Bexar County and state election office filings, last verified September 29, 2026. Bios and priorities carry their attribution inline.

Cross-check with the official Texas election office, or see the full Bexar County sample ballot and your exact ballot by address.

The rest of your Bexar County ballot

20 tracked races in Bexar County, Texas. Landed here from another county's search? Look up your own ballot below.

Also on your ballot
Texas House District 119Texas House District 120Texas House District 121See all 20 Bexar County races
Candidate profiles
Ben Mostyn, full profilePhilip Cortez, full profileOfficial Texas election office