A federal judge has denied a request by Gov. Chris Gregoire and three other Democratic governors to weigh in against the lawsuit challenging the constitutionality of the new health-care law.

Last week, Gregoire joined governors Ed Rendell of Pennsylvania, Bill Ritter of Colorado and Jennifer Granholm of Michigan in requesting permission to file a "friend of the court" brief in support of the Obama administration's motion to dismiss the lawsuit.

Like Rob McKenna in Washington, Republican attorneys general from those states had joined the lawsuit over objections of the Democratic governors.

The governors argued they should be allowed to weigh in, to let the court know how the health-care law would benefit their states.

U.S. District Judge Roger Vinson denied the governors' request Friday, saying their input isn't appropriate at this stage.

However, in his written order, Vinson indicated the governors "might have positions and arguments that may be helpful to the court" if the case proceeds toward a trial.

Vinson wrote that the governors can refile their requests later.