Jim Neal, the former San Francisco resident running for U.S. Senate in North Carolina, lost his Democratic primary race Tuesday, May 6 to his opponent, state Senator Kay Hagan.

The openly gay Neal placed second among five candidates, according to unofficial returns Wednesday. He netted 18 percent of the vote, while Hagan easily claimed victory with 60 percent of the ballots cast.

Neal did rack up 241,673 votes and won two of the state's counties. He told the Bay Area Reporter by phone Wednesday that despite the loss he is proud of the grassroots campaign he waged. He said he had congratulated Hagan and pledged his full support in helping her defeat the incumbent, Republican Senator Elizabeth Dole, in the fall.

"I don't have any regrets," said Neal, who planned to hit the beach after thanking his supporters. "I feel as if I have been living inside a novel, a beautiful novel. Everyday I have turned a new page. That novel hasn't ended. I am turning a new page today."

From the start Neal faced a daunting task. Democratic Party officials recruited Hagan to run against him and even LGBT groups like the Human Rights Campaign failed to endorse him in the race. He also lacked in fundraising and was unable to run television ads.

Out lesbian Mandy Carter, who is African American and a Democratic activist in the state, said Neal's sexual orientation was only one of several factors in his defeat.

"Quite honestly, a lot of women said we need a woman to run against Elizabeth Dole," said Carter. "[Hagan's] ability to raise money was just so evident. It played a pivotal role financially."

She said had HRC backed Neal and put resources into the race, it may have made a difference.

"A gay organization not to endorse a gay candidate? I am stunned and deeply disappointed," said Carter, a former HRC staffer.