After losing in the original primary election and Monday's recount, Lee decided Tuesday against asking for a manual recount.
Though both Orange County and Chatham County board of elections officials were willing to do another count, Lee said he does not think a third tally would significantly change the results. "It was prolonging the inevitable," he said.
The Lee campaign had observers in both Orange and Chatham counties Monday ensuring the recount was done accurately and professionally, said Lee's campaign chairman, Josh Gurlitz.
"There is not much opportunity for mistakes to have been made," he said.
In a statement released Tuesday, Lee said he believes his commitment to the state budget in Raleigh took away time he would have spent talking with district voters.
Lee added that he is reluctant to leave the legislature. "I'll leave in peace, although I regret leaving because there is a lot left to do," he said.
Kinnaird said she was pleased with the final primary result but that her victory was not a joyous one because the Senate will be losing a respected member in Lee.
Kinnaird said she is confident she will win the Nov. 5 general election because of the area's dominant Democratic voice. "It has been a sad and difficult campaign," she said. "But I am happy to be back."
Lee said that during his remaining time he will continue to be a vocal advocate of education, especially as the N.C. General Assembly hammers out a budget for the 2002-03 fiscal year.
"My top priority is still to focus on education, especially public schools and the universities, as well as community colleges," he said.
Gurlitz said losing Lee in the Senate might negatively impact the UNC system because Lee has been a strong advocate for the universities -- especially UNC-Chapel Hill -- during the process of trimming the budget.
Kinnaird said she hopes the University will not be hurt by Lee's loss but recognizes that there will now only be one regional advocate instead of two.
But Lee said he will continue to work closely with the University and the state government in other venues.
"I will continue to use my influence at the legislature," he said. "I will need some healing time. There's no question that I'm hurting to have this gone."
Lee said he has not ruled out running for the Senate again in the future.
"Obviously, it depends on how well (Kinnaird) performs."
The State & National Editor can be reached at stntdesk@unc.edu.
