ST. PAUL, Minn. (AP) — A lawyer for the Minnesota Senate is arguing that a lawsuit over a Republican ex-staffer's firing belongs in federal court instead of before a state judge.

A filing Thursday seeks to transfer the lawsuit filed by Brodkorb, who contends he was wrongfully dismissed after an extramarital affair with then-Senate Majority Leader Amy Koch became known. Brodkorb's lawsuit was filed last month in state district court.

In the Senate's filing, attorney Dayle Nolan says the gender discrimination claim is a matter of federal jurisdiction.

Brodkorb is also suing Senate officials for alleged defamation and invasion of privacy. The case is an election-year distraction for Republicans who run the Senate.

The federal filing was first reported by the Minneapolis/St. Paul Business Journal.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press.