Texas House of Representatives District 117 candidate surveys, 2022

Elections in Texas, 2022

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This article shows responses from candidates in the 2022 election for Texas House of Representatives District 117 who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey.

• Click here to see candidates and election results.
• Click here to see Candidate Connection survey responses.

Candidates and election results

General election

General election for Texas House of Representatives District 117

Incumbent Philip Cortez defeated Aaron Schwope in the general election for Texas House of Representatives District 117 on November 8, 2022.

		Candidate	%	Votes
✔		Philip Cortez (D)	62.6	27,821
		Aaron Schwope (R)	37.4	16,620

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	Incumbents are bolded and underlined. The results have been certified. Source	Total votes: 44,441
= candidate completed the Ballotpedia Candidate Connection survey.
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Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey responses

Ballotpedia asks all federal, state, and local candidates to complete a survey and share what motivates them on political and personal levels. The section below shows responses from candidates in this race who completed Ballotpedia's Candidate Connection survey. Candidates are asked three required questions for this survey, but they may answer additional optional questions as well.

Survey responses from candidates in this race

Click on a candidate's name to visit their Ballotpedia page.

Note: Ballotpedia reserves the right to edit Candidate Connection survey responses. Any edits made by Ballotpedia will be clearly marked with [brackets] for the public. If the candidate disagrees with an edit, he or she may request the full removal of the survey response from Ballotpedia.org. Ballotpedia does not edit or correct typographical errors unless the candidate's campaign requests it.

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Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Border security

Children mental health

Pro life, people gun

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Children mental health

Who do you look up to? Whose example would you like to follow, and why?

Aaron Schwope (R)

God My pastor

What characteristics or principles are most important for an elected official?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Willingness to stand up for what they believe in, also being a God fearing Christian

What qualities do you possess that you believe would make you a successful officeholder?

Aaron Schwope (R)

I am a honest and trustworthy God fearing Christian.

What do you believe are the core responsibilities for someone elected to this office?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Being fiscally responsible and open to any discussion

What is the first historical event that happened in your lifetime that you remember? How old were you at the time?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Challenger explosion

What was your very first job? How long did you have it?

Aaron Schwope (R)

I worked for my father who was a plumber until I moved away for college.

What was the last song that got stuck in your head?

Aaron Schwope (R)

The Judds "Grandpa"

What is something that has been a struggle in your life?

Aaron Schwope (R)

The lack of information out about children's mental health

What do you believe is the ideal relationship between the governor and state legislature?

Aaron Schwope (R)

We need the governor to be behind his representatives and help fast tract important bills

What do you perceive to be your state's greatest challenges over the next decade?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Border security

What are the benefits and drawbacks of a unicameral state legislature, in your opinion?

Aaron Schwope (R)

You need checks and balances.

Do you believe that it’s beneficial for state legislators to have previous experience in government or politics?

Aaron Schwope (R)

No sometimes having someone new come in and have a fresh idea makes all the difference.

Do you believe it’s beneficial to build relationships with other legislators? Please explain your answer.

Aaron Schwope (R)

If you don't build a working relationship with your counterparts nothing gets accomplished

What process do you favor for redistricting?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Making new territory based on major roadways.

If you are not a current legislator, are there certain committees that you would want to be a part of?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Education Mental health

Are you interested in running for a different political office (for example, the U.S. Congress or governor) in the future?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Anything is possible

Should the legislature oversee or grant the use of emergency powers?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Yes, you must and accountability for spending tax payers money.

Do you believe that compromise is necessary or desirable for policymaking?

Aaron Schwope (R)

Absolutely, if we don't work together nothing gets accomplished

See also

More about these elections:

• Texas House of Representatives elections, 2022

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