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Democrats are chomping at the bit for a chance to replace disgraced ex-Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver next year in the downtown seat he has held for the past four decades.

Silver, 70, indicted on federal corruption charges Thursday, was first elected to the Assembly in 1976 in a district that takes in the Lower East Side, Chinatown and the Financial District.

But the crafty pol, who was forced out as speaker Feb. 2, days after his corruption arrest, is contesting the charges brought by Manhattan US Attorney Preet Bharara, which allege the assemblyman accepted millions of dollars in bribes and kickbacks.

If hes convicted, Silver would have to forfeit his seat, but some Democrats arent waiting to see whether the wounded politico survives the criminal case.

Im very seriously looking at running for his Assembly seat, said downtown Democratic district leader Paul Newell, who garnered nearly a quarter of the vote in a 2008 Democratic primary challenge to Silver.

People are saying, Its time to move forward. We need a new kind of representative, Newell said. Silver has lost a lot of his ability to deliver.

Another downtown Democratic district leader, lawyer Jenifer Rajkumar, also is eyeing Silvers seat, sources said. Rajkumar previously ran for City Council.

Baruch College public-affairs Professor Doug Muzzio said, Theres blood in the water. Im sure youre going to see more candidates who want to run for Silvers seat. Id be surprised if theres not more than two candidates.

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Democrats are itching to replace Sheldon Silvers seat