KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (AP) -- State Sen. Raymond Finney has dropped his request for a vote recount after losing his seat by 139 ballots in the Republican primary election.

WBIR-TV in Knoxville reported Wednesday that Finney said in a letter to the state Republican Party that a recount would be too expensive.

The Maryville Republican filed the petition last week with the Sevier County Election Commission.

Finney's district includes Sevier and Blount counties. Election results show he carried Blount County by 1,196 ballots, but lost Sevier County by 1,335 votes.

The race was won by state Rep. Doug Overbey, also of Maryville.

Finney said that he'd already spent too much of his retirement savings on the last two races and said he and his wife plan to return to a simpler life.

(Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)