NEWS & Views

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Aug. 15, 2025 Press Contact: Priscilla Peña, (817) 896-4037

San Antonio Showdown: Cortez Braces for Primary Challenge After Helping GOP Establish Quorum

SAN ANTONIO — Robert “Bob” Mihara, a retired U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and interim executive director of a San Antonio legal aid organization, announced Wednesday that he will challenge state Rep. Philip Cortez in the 2026 Democratic primary. Mihara’s entry comes as Cortez’s abrupt return to Austin, just days after joining the quorum break to protest an unprecedented mid-decade redistricting bill, stuns Democrats in the district and in Austin.

“By siding with Republicans in an attempt to establish a quorum, Rep. Cortez abandoned his constituents and handed power to those determined to rig our democracy,” Mihara said in a statement. “At a moment that demanded courage, he chose convenience. When the stakes were highest, he stood with those who sought to silence the voters. That’s why I’m running—because Texas needs a fighter who will never give up on our democracy or the people who depend on it.”

Mihara served 20 years in the Army before retiring in 2019. His career included deployments to Iraq and Afghanistan and a tour in South Korea. A graduate of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Mihara now works to deliver legal services to low-income veterans, people with disabilities, and other Bexar County residents who struggle to afford representation.

Rep. Cortez, who has represented House District 117 since 2013, has not faced a primary challenger since 2018, when he defeated financial wellness manager Terisha DeDeaux. With only $71k cash on hand the embattled representative seems more vulnerable now than ever.

Mihara said his campaign will focus on defending voting rights, strengthening public education, and restoring public trust in government. He is scheduled to host his official campaign kickoff on Aug. 28 at The Cove in San Antonio.