The Ballot Brief
Bexar County, Texas

Texas House District 117

Mostyn and Cortez are on the November 3, 2026 ballot. Names follow official Bexar County election filings.

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.

This list comes from official election records but may be incomplete. It can miss, for example, late or petition candidates and some city, school and district races. Your official sample ballot is the final word.

We use AI to research and write election information. Errors are possible. Verify important details with official sources.

Texas › Bexar County › Texas House District 117

Ben Mostyn

Republican

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Tort reform to protect businesses and support bringing manufacturing to Texas, per voter guide candidate directory
  • Oppose reducing police funding and support ending cashless bail, per voter guide candidate directory
  • Direct additional resources and training to the San Antonio Police Department, per 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

DemocraticIncumbent

Top priorities

From other published sources

  • Support for veterans and their families, per Texas House of Representatives official biography
  • Public school improvement, per Texas House of Representatives official biography
  • Protections for senior citizens, per 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 October 26, 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

43 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 43 Bexar County races
Candidate profiles
Ben Mostyn, full profilePhilip Cortez, full profileOfficial Texas election office