MADISON, Wis. (AP) Wisconsin Gov. Jim Doyle is asking Rep. Gary Sherman to stay in the Legislature through April before taking a seat on the Court of Appeals.

Doyle nominated the Democrat from Port Wing earlier this month to fill a vacancy on the Madison-based District 4 Court of Appeals.

On Wednesday, Doyle asked Sherman to stay in the Legislature through the end of the regular session in April rather than have a special election to fill his seat.

Doyle says it makes no sense to spend money electing a new representative to join the Legislature near the end of the session.

Sherman, who has been in the Legislature since 1999 representing northern Wisconsin, did not immediately return a phone message from FOX 21 News.

FOX 21 contributed to this report.

(Copyright 2009 by The Associated Press.  All Rights Reserved.)