Shirley Abrahamson dropping Supreme Court chief justice lawsuit

MADISON — Wisconsin Supreme Court Justice Shirley Abrahamson says she is dropping her appeal of a federal court ruling upholding her replacement as chief justice.

Abrahamson said Monday even if she had won, it could take years and be a "hollow victory" as it could be close to the end of her term.

Voters approved a constitutional amendment in April that allows justices to pick the chief justice rather than automatically giving the title to the longest-serving justice. The court's conservative majority replaced Abrahamson as chief with Justice Pat Roggensack hours after the election results were certified.

Abrahamson filed a federal lawsuit arguing she couldn't be removed as chief until her term expires in 2019. A federal court dismissed it in July.

Abrahamson appealed in September, but says now she's dropping it.