Changes

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_00cc0f42-12f7-11ea-8d8e-e7b67b4ad7ee.html|title=Page Cortez of Lafayette slated to be next state Senate president|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=November 29, 2019|author=Tyler Bridges|accessdate=November 30, 2019}}</ref> a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-turned-[[Moderate Republican]] from Westwego in Jefferson Parish who supported the reelection in 2019 of [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]], rather than the Republican candidate, [[Eddie Rispone]].

https://www.theadvocate.com/baton_rouge/news/politics/legislature/article_00cc0f42-12f7-11ea-8d8e-e7b67b4ad7ee.html|title=Page Cortez of Lafayette slated to be next state Senate president|publisher=''The Baton Rouge Advocate''|date=November 29, 2019|author=Tyler Bridges|accessdate=November 30, 2019}}</ref> a [[Democratic Party|Democrat]]-turned-[[Moderate Republican]] from Westwego in Jefferson Parish who supported the reelection in 2019 of [[Democratic Party|Democratic]] [[Governor]] [[John Bel Edwards]], rather than the Republican candidate, [[Eddie Rispone]].

Cortez is also the former District 43 member of the Louisiana House of Representative, a post which he filled for only one term. He vacated the seat in January 2012 to become a state senator.

Cortez is also the former District 43 member of the Louisiana House of Representative, a post which he filled for only one term. He vacated the seat in January 2012 to become a state senator

==Background==​

==Background==

Cortez is a descendant of Louisiana Isleño people. He graduated from Lafayette High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, from which he received bachelor's degrees in both education and general studies. A former classroom teacher and coach, he is a former member of the Lafayette Parks and Recreation Commission. He is married to the former Angela Stoma (born 1964), and they have two children, Matthew and Maria Cortez.<ref name=statehousepage/>​

Cortez is a descendant of Louisiana Isleño people. He graduated from Lafayette High School and the University of Louisiana at Lafayette, from which he received bachelor's degrees in both education and general studies. A former classroom teacher and coach, he is a former member of the Lafayette Parks and Recreation Commission. He is married to the former Angela Stoma (born 1964), and they have two children, Matthew and Maria Cortez.<ref name=statehousepage/>​