Career
Cortez is a captain in the Air Force Reserve, having originally joined the Air Force as an enlisted Airman. In the November 6, 2012 general election, Cortez unseated the freshman Republican John Garza. In his first term, Cortez was named the top Democratic freshman by Capitol Inside.
Galindo thwarted the primary comeback bid waged by former Representative John Garza, who trailed with 1,300 votes (354 percent) of the ballots cast.In the November 4 general election, Galindo defeated Cortez, 12,835 votes (527 percent) to 11,521 (473 percent).