The worst-kept political secret in Niagara County is now out of the bag.

Niagara Falls police Detective Capt. Ernest Palmer will announce on Monday that he is a candidate for the Republican Party nomination to run for Niagara County Sheriff in November. Palmer is looking to replace current Sheriff Tom Beilein who will leave the post to become chairman of the State Commission of Correction.

“I plan to announce my candidacy in Lockport on Monday,” Palmer said. “In anticipation of Sheriff Beilein’s appointment to the Corrections Commission.”

Palmer had long been rumored as a potential candidate for the sheriff’s post with Beilein taking a state appointment. However, the Falls detective chief, who is also a member of the Lewiston Town Board, had held off on a formal announcement, waiting for Beilein to formally leave his office.

The sheriff’s appointment had been announced by then Gov. Eliot Spitzer on Feb. 21. However, in the aftermath of the sex scandal that drove Spitzer from office, Beilein’s nomination was put “on hold.”

Gov. David Paterson, who succeeded Spitzer, asked for time to “review all of (Spitzer’s) pending nominations.” That review was completed in early May.

Paterson is now expected to formally send Beilein’s nomination for the chairman’s post on the three-member commission to the Senate in the next few weeks. Sources tell the Gazette there are ongoing discussions on the timing of sending the nomination to the Senate, the scheduling of confirmation hearings and a Senate vote.

The Senate is still expected to act on the nomination before its summer recess at the end of June.

“Time is getting short and I realize there is going to be a race in November,” Palmer said. “It’s important for me to get out in front.”

Palmer could also face a GOP primary. Sheriff’s Deputy Brian Grear has expressed a desire to capture the Republican nomination to succeed his boss.

“I really don’t know if I’ll face a primary,” Palmer said.

Attempts to reach Grear on Thursday night were unsuccessful.

Current Sheriff’s Department Chief Deputy James Voutour is expected to received the Democratic party nod to run in November.

“I have the utmost respect for Brian and Jim,” Palmer said.

As for Beilein, the three-member correction commission is charged with providing for a “safe, secure and humane correctional system in New York state.”

Beilein would lead the commission as it monitors the care, treatment and discipline that inmates receive, conducts training programs for corrections personnel, approves plans for facility construction and prepares statistical reports.

The appointment is a full-time job, with a five-year term and the chairman’s post carries a $101,600 annual salary.