Senator Peter Hoe Burling (D-Cornish) and Representative Leigh Webb (D-Franklin) issued a joint statement Thursday evening calling on Representative Jim Ryan (D-Franklin) to step down from his House seat.

"It is very shocking to see the entirety of the legal mess confronting Jim and his family. It is also very sad to see how long the history of trouble has become. We believe it is time for Representative Ryan to step down, so that he can direct all his energies to resolving his legal situation and caring for his family," said Burling and Webb.

Ryan, who served as U.S. Sen. Joe Biden's (D-Del.) presidential campaign chair in the state, was arrested last week for violating terms of a court order.