Shirley Abrahamson makes case to remain as chief justice

MADISON (AP) — Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson is telling a federal court judge that she should be allowed to continue the work of chief justice that she's done for the past 19 years.

Abrahamson made the arguments in court filings made Monday and Tuesday in her ongoing lawsuit against the other justices and state.

Abrahamson argues a constitutional amendment allowing the justices to elect who is chief justice can't be implemented until her current term is over in 2019. But four of the other six justices went ahead last month and chose Justice Pat Roggensack as chief justice.

Abrahamson says in an affidavit filed Tuesday that it was her understanding, and the understanding of voters, that if re-elected in 2009 she would continue serving uninterrupted as chief justice.