Rep. Jud McMillin, a rising star in Indiana’s Republican Party, abruptly resigned Tuesday.

The Indianapolis Star has learned that the surprise resignation came after a sexually explicit video was sent via text message from McMillin’s cell phone. It’s unclear who sent the text or how broadly it was distributed.

The Brookville Republican sent a separate text message apologizing to his contacts for “anything offensive” they may have received after he said he lost control of his cell phone.

McMillin, whose Facebook page says he is married, did not respond to messages from The Star seeking comment. He said in an emailed statement only that he has “decided the time is right for me to pass the torch and spend more time with my family.”

“Now I want to focus all of my attention on making my family’s world a better place,” he said.

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