WASHINGTON (CNN) -- Colorado Rep. Tom Tancredo called for embattled Attorney General Alberto Gonzales to resign Tuesday, the first GOP presidential candidate to do so.

"Alberto Gonzales has repeatedly shown that he is unwilling to enforce the law and unable to effectively manage the department," Tancredo said in a statement. "While I do not believe the dismissal of these eight political appointees warrants Mr. Gonzales' removal, his total mishandling of the affair is simply the latest in a series of leadership failures at the Justice Department."

Tancredo, most known for his conservative stance on illegal immigration, also said he thinks Gonzales should step down because of his record on border security issues.

"Gonzales' legacy at the DOJ has been one of misplaced priorities, political miscalculation, and a failure to enforce the laws which he has sworn to uphold," Tancredo said. "I think that it is time for him to move on."

In calling for Gonzales' ouster, Tancredo joins fellow Republican Rep. Dana Rohrbacher of California, along with GOP Sens. John Sununu of New Hampshire and Gordon Smith of Oregon.