Members of Maine’s congressional delegation reacted in different ways Monday to news of the resignation of Karl Rove, President Bush’s deputy White House chief of staff.

Rove, who has been embroiled in several controversies in his time at the White House, has worked for Bush since he ran for governor of Texas in 1993 and is a close friend of the president’s.

Democratic 2nd District Rep. Michael Michaud and 1st District Rep. Tom Allen both said Rove had an overly partisan way of doing business that ultimately hurt the country.

“Karl Rove’s departure is a welcome development,” Michaud said in a statement. “By many accounts, he has been heavily involved in some of the administration’s most divisive and destructive policies, including the invasion of Iraq. … I am hopeful that Mr. Rove’s departure will pave the way for better bipartisan cooperation in the future on issues that our country must address, especially finding the best way to quickly end the war in Iraq.”

Allen believes that “Rove’s legacy may well be that he politicized federal agencies and departments in an unprecedented fashion and to the detriment of good government,” said Mark Sullivan, Allen’s communications director.

“Tom hopes that future administrations, Republican or Democrat, will not follow that example but rather rein in the partisan influence that does not serve the interests of the American people well,” Sullivan said in a telephone interview.

Republican Sen. Susan Collins, who was visiting Washington County on Monday, reacted more mildly to the announcement. She said Rove had worked very hard on behalf of the president.

“Karl spent many years [in] public service. … I think he’s been devoted to the president and I am certain the president is quite sad to see him go,” Collins said. “I have always been able to work fine with Karl, but I think he’s probably ready to get back to private life.”

Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe was traveling Monday and could not be reached for comment.