Washington, D.C. ? President Bush announced the resignation Thursday of Agriculture Secretary Mike Johanns and immediately offered support for his anticipated campaign for a Senate seat from Nebraska.

“If it’s Mike’s decision and Nebraska’s choice, he would make an outstanding member of the United States Senate,” President Bush said Thursday, while announcing that Johanns had resigned as head of the Agriculture Department.

Bush announced Johanns’ departure at a Rose Garden ceremony. Deputy Agriculture Secretary Charles Conner has taken over as acting secretary.

Several state officials said Johanns, a former Republican governor of Nebraska, is expected to seek the Senate seat being vacated at the end of next year by Republican Sen. Chuck Hagel.

Johanns drew immediate criticism from congressional Democrats for leaving the Agriculture Department in the middle of negotiations on the farm bill. The politically popular legislation gives billions in aid to farmers and pays for nutrition programs. The current version expires Sept. 30.