INDIANAPOLIS (AP) — Republican Rep. Luke Messer is defending his wife’s lucrative contract with the Indianapolis suburb of Fishers.

The Associated Press reported Thursday that Jennifer Messer makes $20,000 a month through a legal services contract with the city, despite working remotely from the Washington area.

The Indiana congressman, who’s considering a Senate run, defended the arrangement in a statement issued late Thursday. He said his wife “is the brains in the Messer outfit.”

He added that it is unfair to criticize a woman who has 16 years of legal expertise and has been “an asset to every firm and client she has served.”

Fishers lead staff attorney has said Messer plays a limited role in the city’s day-to-day operations. Jennifer Messer’s contract states that her work is focused on economic development.