(Reuters) - Attorney General Alberto Gonzales, whose tenure has been marked by controversy over civil liberties and the firings of prosecutors, announced his resignation on Monday.

Following is reaction from several candidates in the 2008 presidential election.

* NEW YORK DEMOCRATIC SEN. HILLARY CLINTON: “This resignation is long overdue, and so is the appointment of an attorney general who will put the rule of law and our Constitution above partisan politics. ... time and time again, he demonstrated that his loyalties lie with the president and his political agenda, not the American people or the evenhanded and impartial enforcement of our laws.”

* FORMER NORTH CAROLINA DEMOCRATIC SEN. JOHN EDWARDS: “This is a victory for all of us. ... Instead of replacing him with another political insider, we need to make sure that President (George W.) Bush replaces him with someone who is essentially nonpolitical.”

* ILLINOIS DEMOCRATIC SEN. BARACK OBAMA: “I have long believed that Alberto Gonzales subverted justice to promote a political agenda, and so I am pleased that he has finally resigned today. The president needs to nominate an attorney general who will be the people’s lawyer, not the president’s lawyer.”

* NEW MEXICO DEMOCRATIC GOV. BILL RICHARDSON: “The resignation of Attorney General Alberto Gonzales is long overdue. The president must nominate an attorney general who is a lawyer for the American people, not a political arm of the White House.”

* DELAWARE DEMOCRATIC SEN. JOSEPH BIDEN: “His resignation is long overdue. ... When I voted against Attorney General Gonzales’ confirmation, I voiced concern about his ability to go from being the president’s lawyer to the people’s lawyer. ... My skepticism was confirmed by his conduct.”

* CONNECTICUT DEMOCRATIC SEN. CHRIS DODD: “Mr. Gonzales’ Justice Department became a political wing of the Bush administration and his resignation is long overdue. I will only vote to confirm a nominee for attorney general who is truly independent and who will guarantee reforms that restore and uphold the Constitution.”

* FORMER MASSACHUSETTS REPUBLICAN GOV. MITT ROMNEY: “I believe the attorney general made the right decision to step aside. The resignation is an opportunity for President Bush to renew the nation’s commitment to the law enforcement officers and personnel who are dedicated to enforcing the rule of law and protecting the American people from the threat of terrorism around the globe.”

* FORMER NEW YORK CITY REPUBLICAN MAYOR RUDY GIULIANI: “Judge Gonzales served his nation honorably and I wish him well in the next phase of his career.”