Bob Young, twice-arrested Ohio Republican state rep, resigns

Ohio State Rep. Bob Young (R-Green) is resigning. He sent a letter Friday to Speaker of the House Jason Stephens saying he's stepping down effective Oct. 2.

The move comes as half of the Republicans in the Ohio House had called on him to resign following his second arrest in two months.

Young was arrested late last month for violating a protective order issued after he was arrested on domestic violence and assault charges in July. He's accused of fighting with his wife at their home and with his brother at his home following a fundraiser.

"I will be vigorously defending myself, and I'm looking forward to personal and legal vindication as the court process plays out," Young writes in his resignation letter. "I was hopeful that this matter could be resolved before this point, but I can no longer deny the distraction that this matter has caused the Ohio House of Representatives as an institution, as well as my colleagues, with whom I serve."