Attorney General Eric Holder announced his plan to resign on Thursday, but will stay until a new successor is named in what is expected to be an ugly process.

The United States' first black attorney general made his announcement amid his controversial tenure, which has gone through security threats, civil rights fights, changes in the criminal justice system and fights with Republicans.

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Following the announcement, rumors spread that the White House will be naming a successor soon.

According to an NPR article, Solicitor General Donald Verrilli is a strong contender for the position.

However, and whoever the nominee will be, it is expected to get ugly considering the anger that Republicans hold against Holder.

With the midterm elections well under way, analysts predict that whoever will be chosen by the White House to replace Holder, will be blasted by the Republicans, especially about the issue of race.

In an article published by the Washington Post, it mentioned several reasons why Republicans are angered by Holder.

First, during Holder's tenure, the Justice Department has been at the center of several controversies that irked the Republicans, such as the one about Holder's campaign to cover up for the New Black Panther Party.

Another reason, according to the Post, is Holder's bluntness regarding discussions on issues of race, where president Obama has shown some reservation.

Additionally, Holder has further angered the conservatives when he publicly supported the LGBT rights and has paved the way for the marijuana legalization in the state of Washington and Colorado.

Many other issues that Holder has been a part of, were allegedly race-oriented.

And many Republicans believe that the president's administration is aimed at exacting retribution over white people.

Holder was voted to the position by the Senate in 2009 at 75-21.

Analysts believe that this time around, the vote will not only be closer, but much uglier.

In an interview with the National Public Radio, two sources who know about the decision, said Holder will step down as soon as a successor is confirmed.

However, according to reports, naming a new successor in the Justice Department could take until the end of the year or till 2015.

Tagspolitics news, politics, Attorney General, Eric Holder