U.S. Rep. Colleen Hanabusa said Tuesday that she will not legally challenge her Democratic primary loss to U.S. Sen. Brian Schatz, but the congresswoman urged the state Legislature to look into the election process to ensure every vote counts.

Hanabusa lost to Schatz by 1,769 votes in an emotional and at times bitter primary to succeed the late U.S. Sen. Daniel Inouye. The outcome was delayed for nearly a week after the state Office of Elections allowed voters in two Puna precincts on Hawaii island struggling to recover from Tropical Storm Iselle to cast ballots in a makeup vote. The state also belatedly found about 800 previously uncounted absentee ballots on Maui.

In her first public comments since the primary, Hanabusa released a statement in which she thanked campaign volunteers and supporters for their "hard work, sacrifice and most importantly, for your trust. We would not have gotten as close as we did without the love and aloha you poured into our campaign. I will forever be humbled and inspired by your support.

"Though I will not be challenging the results of this election, I remain very concerned about the public’s confidence and trust in our election process. I ask former colleagues and friends in the Hawaii state Legislature to explore what is necessary to ensure the people that their vote truly counts. I heard from many who feel strongly that they were disenfranchised from the voting process this election and I stand ready to support any collaborative effort to have those voices heard.

"It is time for me to finish my work in the Congress and reflect on the last 16 years of my life in public office. I always wanted to give back and make things better for the people of Hawaii by creating opportunities for the next generation to thrive. I can move on from this election knowing I listened to the people and fought hard for the right to represent them, honorably."

Schatz, in a statement, called on Democrats to unite.

"This election has been extraordinary from beginning to end. It took heart, teamwork and a belief that together we are making a real difference for our state and our country," the senator said.

"I want to congratulate Congresswoman Hanabusa on waging a spirited and tough battle. Now it is time for us to unite as we move forward to the general election.

"I thank the voters for placing their trust and confidence in me. I will never lose sight of the fact that I am only able to do my work representing the people of Hawaii because of the voters’ support."

A candidate, political party or at least 30 voters from any election district can contest the primary before the state Supreme Court within six days of Friday’s final tally, so the deadline is Thursday. The challenge must show that voting problems had the potential to change the outcome of the election.

The Hanabusa campaign had unsuccessfully sought to postpone Friday’s makeup vote in Puna, arguing in state Circuit Court last week that Puna voters still confronting storm damage would be disenfranchised. Circuit Judge Greg Nakamura rejected the request, explaining that the courts could not interfere with an ongoing election, but questioned the common sense of the state moving forward with the vote.

The state Elections Commission will review the primary at a meeting on Friday.

Schatz faces former state Republican lawmaker Cam Cavasso in the November general election.

Schatz and his allies in liberal groups such as Democracy for America and the Progressive Change Campaign Committee have sought to frame the senator’s victory over Hanabusa around Social Security.

"One of the main reasons I won — and a big factor in DFA’s decision to endorse me — is my support for protecting and expanding Social Security," Schatz says in an email scheduled for release by DFA on Wednesday. "At a time when more and more Americans are struggling to afford retirement, expanding Social Security is essential to reducing inequality and helping older Americans stay out of poverty.

"My victory proves that Social Security expansion is not only good policy, it’s good politics. We can maintain Democratic control of the Senate and send more progressives to Congress if we can convince more Democrats to come out in favor of expanding Social Security."

Charles Chamberlain, DFA’s executive director, says in the email that "there’s little doubt that Sen. Schatz’s bold support for expanding Social Security benefits was one of the keys to his victory in Hawaii and that should be a lesson for any Democrat looking to win in November and 2016."

On Friday, Adam Green, the co-founder of the PCCC, described Schatz’s win as "a huge victory for the populist Elizabeth Warren wing of American politics, and a big blow to the corporate wing. Colleen Hanabusa supported cutting Social Security in the House, but thankfully she won’t have that opportunity in the Senate."

But Democrats close to Hanabusa have countered that Schatz and his allies exaggerated the differences between the two on Social Security. Hanabusa has insisted she does not support cuts to the entitlement program.

Schatz is a co-sponsor of a bill that would expand Social Security benefits, and the senator was critical of Hanabusa for voting for a failed House amendment last year that would have directed President Barack Obama to use the Simpson-Bowles deficit reduction plan as a guideline. Advocates for seniors have argued that the Simpson- Bowles plan would have relied too heavily on entitlement reform.