Two Republican candidates are running for state representative District 17 in the upcoming March primaries.

The overview: Stan Gerdes and Tom Glass will compete for the Republican nomination. The winning Republican candidate will face the Democratic nominee in November.

What you need to know: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Three Democratic candidates are running for state representative District 17 in the upcoming March primaries.

The overview: Robert Salter, Frank Gomez III and Mary Elizabeth Klenz will compete for the Democratic nomination. The winning Democratic candidate will face the Republican nominee in November.

What you need to know: Candidates were asked to keep responses under 50 words, answer the questions provided and avoid attacking opponents. Answers may have been edited or cut to adhere to those guidelines, or for style and clarity.

Smithville residents will have a new place to stock up on farm, pet and home supplies, as Tractor Supply Co. preps for the construction of its newest store within an upcoming 69-acre industrial park.

What's happening: The 21,702-square-foot project—scheduled to begin July 6 and be completed by Jan. 18, 2027—will be built between highways 230 and 71, and cost approximately $2.4 million, according to a Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation filing.

A spokesperson for Tractor Supply Co. told Community Impact a grand opening celebration is slated for February 2027.

What they offer: The Smithville location, the spokesperson highlighted, will include special features, such as a pet wash, garden center, feed center and forage shed.

• Smithville Industrial Park, at the intersection of highways 230 and 71, Smithville

An electric vehicle sales center and a new residential building are among the newest projects filed with the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation. Here are five of the most expensive projects filed with the TDLR in the Austin metro this week.

1. Gunter Street residential building: A five-story, multifamily building with a five-story parking garage is planned near the East Seventh Street H-E-B.

• Location: 1135 Gunter St., Austin
• Estimated timeline: May 1, 2026-Aug. 1, 2028
• Estimated cost: $80 million

• Location: Kelly Lane, from Moorlynch Avenue to Weiss Lane, Pflugerville
• Estimated timeline: Oct. 1, 2026-March 31, 2030
• Estimated cost: $40 million