A Hartford state representative, who was advised to step down by Connecticut's speaker of the house last week after questionable text messages with a teenager surfaced, tells NBC Connecticut he has resigned.
Texts obtained by the NBC Connecticut Troubleshooters show Angel Arce exchanging messages with a 16-year-old girl. The girl in question is now 18 years old.
"I have decided to resign from my position as a state representative and town committee member. I do not want my presence to be a distraction to the very important work that occurs at the capitol and on the town committee every day. I also do not want my family, friends and supporters to be burdened in any way," Arce said in a statement that was put out by his attorney.
Arce is also stepping down from his post on Hartford's Democratic town committee.
One Democratic source describes the text messages as "not explicit and not at all appropriate."
The messages prompted several state leaders, including Governor Dannel Malloy and Speaker of the House Joe Aresimowicz, to call for Arce to quit.
"In light of the nature of such information, I strongly encourage you to resign your office of State Representative for the 4th District in the Connecticut House of Representatives," the letter from Aresimowicz said on Mar. 1.
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On Wednesday, Hartford Mayor Luke Bronin said Arce has been a dedicated state representative and knows "he wants to do the right thing for his district."
No criminal investigation is underway since the messages are not explicit.
