Republican John Findlay will not seek a recount after last week's special Senate election primary in which he was defeated by Vince Green by only one vote.

Green won over Findlay with 1,317 votes to 1,316.

Green will now face Rep. Gretchen Whitmer, D-East Lansing, who won the Democratic portion of the primary.

Whitmer received 7,637 votes, nearly 85 percent. Her opponents were Anthony Benavides and Melissa Sue Robinson.

The election will fill the 23rd District Senate seat, which was vacated when Lansing Mayor Virg Bernero resigned to fill his new post.

Findlay said he decided not to request the recount because it would hurt the chances of a Republican candidate winning the March 14 general election and would cost the taxpayers money.

The recount likely would have continued throughout this week, which would leave whoever came out on top with only about a week and a half to campaign for the general election, Findlay said.

"By me asking for a recount, I'm hurting Vince's chances," Findlay said. "I didn't like the idea of both hurting him and costing money. It would end up hurting everybody except for the Democrats."

Green said he continued his campaign despite a possible recount.

"It's always in the back of your mind," Green said. "But we were moving forward."

He said Findlay told him about his decision not to seek a recount on Thursday night.

Green said his campaign would continue in the same way it had before the primary.

Whitmer said she was interested in the outcome of the Republican primary, but "it doesn't change what I am doing or the campaign I am running."

Norm Shinkle, the chair of the Ingham County Republican Party, said he did not contact Findlay about the recount.

"They have to make up their own minds," Shinkle said about candidates. "We didn't encourage (Findlay) one way or another."

Findlay said he enjoyed the experience of campaigning.

"The best part was having the opportunity to meet all kinds of people," Findlay said. "People were very nice."

The way the election ended also was positive, he said.

"If you're going to lose, it's pretty neat to only lose by one vote," Findlay said. "It's sort of the classic example of why people should vote."

Findlay said it has been interesting talking to people after the election who wish they had voted.

"It's a good civics lesson," Findlay said. "No vote is really wasted."

The general election will take place Tuesday, March 14.