With all precincts reporting, only one vote separates Republican candidates Vince Green and John Findlay in Tuesday's primary election for the 23rd Senate District seat.

The final tally was Green with 1317 votes and Findlay with 1316, according to the Ingham County Clerk's office.

The Democratic race was not nearly as close.

Rep. Gretchen Whitmer will advance to the March 14 general election.

Whitmer defeated Anthony Benavides, of Dansville, and Melissa Sue Robinson, of Lansing.

Whitmer received 7637 votes, or about 85 percent. Benavides finished with 935 votes and Robinson finished with 415.

The election results are not official until they are certified by the Board of Canvassers.

Green was excited about his apparent win, but said he imagined Findlay would seek a recount. He said his campaign would continue to focus on putting up signs, going door to door and fundraising.

"We'll do everything that we need to do to win," Green said of March's general election.

A message left late Tuesday evening with Findlay was not immediately returned.

Whitmer said she was looking forward to continuing her run for the Senate.

"I'm very excited," she said. "But now I've to get up tomorrow and keep knocking doors. I'm focused on March 14th."

The result was not that unexpected by the other Democratic candidates who said the limited time worked against them.

"Based on the circumstances, I knew I was an underdog," Robinson said. "We only had about a month. When you're up against somebody like Gretchen Whitmer, who has five years in the legislature, what are you going to do?"

Robinson said she now plans to run for the 68th district seat in the Michigan House.

"I'll have a better shot in this next one; there will be a lot more time," she said.

The experience was worthwhile for Benavides, he said.

"I'm not disappointed in the result," he said. "It doesn't matter what your odds are; it's about trying."