Beyond City Limits

• Nathan Macias, R-Bulverde, has dropped his attempt to challenge the squeaker victory by Doug Miller, chairman of the Edwards Aquifer Authority, in March's Republican primary for the Texas House District 73. Macias took the seat in 2006 after winning a brutal primary battle with GOP incumbent Carter Casteel by 46 votes; in March, he lost to Miller by only 17 votes. Explaining his decision, Macias said, "Understanding the potential for this litigation to cost hundreds of thousands of dollars, only to have a judge rule against the facts, is not my idea of a good investment." But this does not mean Miller is in the clear. In his concession statement, Macias said he wanted to "ensure everyone that the Texas Attorney General is conducting an ongoing criminal investigation" into allegations of voting irregularities. When asked about any potential prosecution, spokesman Tom Kelley said the attorney general's office does not comment on criminal investigations. - R.W.