LATEST: Democrats ask Gov. Walker to drop gay marriage lawsuit

MADISON (AP) — Democrats in the Wisconsin state Senate are asking Gov. Scott Walker and fellow Republican Attorney General J.B. Van Hollen to drop defense of the state's gay marriage ban.

The 15 state senators sent the letter on Wednesday.

Van Hollen last week filed an appeal to a federal judge's ruling finding the state's ban to be unconstitutional. Walker is a named defendant in the lawsuit.

Democrats say in the letter that continued defense of the law in light of court rulings nationwide striking down gay marriage bans is a waste of taxpayer money.

Van Hollen's spokeswoman Dana Brueck says he is fulfilling his oath and doing his job. A spokeswoman for Walker did not immediately return a message.

Arguments in the appeal are scheduled for Aug. 13 in Chicago.