Councilman Philip Cortez is a San Antonio native and has been a life-long resident of District 4. He was elected to City Council with 71% of the vote. Councilman Philip Cortez was re-elected on May 9, 2009, to serve District 4 with over 78% of the vote. Councilman Cortez looks forward to continuing to serve the residents of District 4 and the City of San Antonio.

Cortez grew up on McNarney Street in the Palo Alto neighborhood and attended Central Catholic High School. After graduating, Cortez began his college career at Palo Alto College where he received his Associate’s degree in May 2000. He also received a second Associate's degree from Community College of the Air Force in October 2005. Cortez then continued on at the University of Texas San Antonio where he received a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science in August 2002 and his Master's degree in Public Administration in May 2007. He currently lives in the Valley Hi North Neighborhood and works as a Community Resource Advocate for the South Texas Blood and Tissue Center.

In addition to his educational achievements, Councilman Cortez has established a record of military service to our country. He first served for seven years as an enlisted member of the United States Air Force Reserve's 433rd Alamo Wing out of Lackland Air Force Base. In June 2006, he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant, Operations Officer in the 433rd Airlift Wing and most recently, in June 2008 he was promoted to the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Having been a member of the enlisted ranks and now currently serving as a commissioned officer, Councilman Cortez knows the importance of public service and believes in protecting the freedoms that we enjoy in our country.

The Councilman has worked most of his adult life in and around San Antonio City government. As an assistant to former Mayor Ed Garza, Councilman Cortez has developed a great understanding of local government and plans to use this knowledge and experience to the advantage of his constituents in District 4. Some of his priorities for this first term are: to continue promoting the economic development of District 4 and the City; to efficiently meet our needs for high quality infrastructure; and to improve the quality of the services we offer in our police and fire departments, parks and libraries. He also will look for ways to partner with our local school districts to improve the high school and college graduation rates. The councilman has been appointed by Mayor Julian Castro to serve as Chairman of both the Audit & Infrastructure and Growth Committees, President of the San Antonio Housing Trust Public Facility Corporation, and a member of the Governance Committee. In October 2008, Councilman Cortez was selected to become a member NALEO, The National Association of Latino Elected and Appointed Officials. Most recently, Councilman Cortez also joined the Southwest General Hospital Board of Trustees in January 2010.

Councilman Cortez continues to serve our community today as a guest reader at Frank Madla and Kindred Elementary schools. He is a lector and parishioner at St. Bonaventure Catholic Church, and a member of the Fraternal Order of Eagles. He also served as a Loaned Executive in 2006, 2007, and 2008 for the United Way Community Campaign.

In his spare time, Philip enjoys reading, playing sports, spending time with his family, his friends, and last but not least his two basset hounds Flash and Chloe. He is the son of Willie and Rose Cortez and has two brothers, Will and Joseph. He also became engaged to Leticia Cantu in 2009.