• Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Cynthia Nixon speaks during a press conference at the Hempstead train station prior to the state Democratic convention on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Hempstead, N.Y. Photo: Times Union
Photo: Times Union
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Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Cynthia Nixon speaks during a press conference at the Hempstead train station prior to the state Democratic convention on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Hempstead, N.Y.
Democratic gubernatorial hopeful Cynthia Nixon speaks during a press conference at the Hempstead train station prior to the state Democratic convention on Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Hempstead, N.Y.
Photo: Times Union
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New York gubernatorial nominee Cynthia Nixon, right, answers questions for the media as she leaves the New York state Democratic convention, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Hempstead, N.Y.
New York gubernatorial nominee Cynthia Nixon, right, answers questions for the media as she leaves the New York state Democratic convention, Wednesday, May 23, 2018, in Hempstead, N.Y.
Photo: Julie Jacobson, AP
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Saratoga County Democratic Committee Chair Todd Kerner speaks with Saratoga County BOE Commissioner William Fruci at New York Democratic Convention on Long Island. (David Lombardo/Times Union)

Saratoga County Democratic Committee Chair Todd Kerner speaks with Saratoga County BOE Commissioner William Fruci at New York Democratic Convention on Long Island. (David Lombardo/Times Union)

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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at a rally with after he signed a law that will gradually raise the stateOs minimum wage to $15 while also establishing paid family leave for New York workers on April 4, 2016 in New York City. Supported by unions, workers and progressives across the state, Cuomo stated that the current minimum wage of $9 an hour is too low to support a family. the event was held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 626480607 less
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton speaks with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at a rally with after he signed a law that will gradually raise the stateOs minimum ... more
Photo: Spencer Platt
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NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton sits with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at a rally with after he signed a law that will gradually raise the stateOs minimum wage to $15 while also establishing paid family leave for New York workers on April 4, 2016 in New York City. Supported by unions, workers and progressives across the state, Cuomo stated that the current minimum wage of $9 an hour is too low to support a family. the event was held at the Jacob Javits Convention Center. (Photo by Spencer Platt/Getty Images) ORG XMIT: 626480607 less
NEW YORK, NEW YORK - APRIL 04: Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton sits with New York Governor Andrew Cuomo at a rally with after he signed a law that will gradually raise the stateOs minimum ... more
Photo: Spencer Platt
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Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (R) holds the hand of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during the 'victory rally for $15 minimum wage and paid family leave' at the Javitz Center in New York on April 4,2016. / AFP PHOTO / KENA BETANCURKENA BETANCUR/AFP/Getty Images ORG XMIT: Hillary C less
Democratic presidential candidate Hillary Clinton (R) holds the hand of New York Governor Andrew Cuomo during the 'victory rally for $15 minimum wage and paid family leave' at the Javitz Center in New York on ... more
Photo: KENA BETANCUR
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LONG ISLAND — The first full day of events at the state Democratic convention will include Hillary Clinton's endorsement of Gov. Andrew Cuomo to serve a third term.

Cuomo, who supported Clinton in her 2016 presidential run and served as a cabinet official in the administration of President Bill Clinton, is expected to address the convention on Thursday, when former Vice President Joe Biden is expected to praise Cuomo.

The convention will be streamed live on the party's Facebook page.

Wednesday's first notable event occurred a few miles from the convention site at Hofstra University: Cynthia Nixon, who is challenging Cuomo for the gubernatorial nomination, spoke this morning at the Hempstead train station — focusing on the region's ongoing transit woes, a hot topic for downstate voters for more than a year.

The celebrity actor turned activist and politician argued the policies and politics of Cuomo's administration have been too conservative, with his progressive turn in recent months only coming as the result of her campaign.

"It's too little, too late. The damage has been done," Nixon said.

Nixon's name has been put into nomination to receive the Democratic Party's backing, but her campaign doesn't expect she will hit the 25 percent support threshold among committee members to automatically qualify for the primary ballot. She has committed to a statewide petitioning effort to compete in the September primary.

"We are here to show we're not afraid," Nixon said. "This is our party, too, and voters have an alternative."

It was not clear early Wednesday is she would be given a chance to speak to the entire convention, but Nixon anticipated she would address small groups in attendance. The party's convention is largely controlled by Cuomo, who as governor is the de facto head of the party.

"It's an extremely choreographed event," Nixon said.

Over the weekend, Nixon received the official support of the Working Families Party. Cuomo previously announced he wouldn't seek the progressive third party's support, as it became clear that they were inclined to back Nixon's campaign.

Wednesday will also see the convention make its picks for statewide office, including New York City Public Advocate Letitia James' run for attorney general. On Wednesday morning, Nixon declined to endorse a Democratic candidate for attorney general.

A luncheon for convention attendees will be hosted by Lt. Gov. Kathy Hochul and U.S. Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, both of whom are up for re-election in November.

The state party's rural and progressive caucuses as well as its younger members will hold breakout sessions on Wednesday morning.

Follow the Capitol Confidential blog for updates from the convention.

The state Republican Party is meeting in Manhattan, though the day's most significant event is the long-expected nomination of Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro to serve as the party's gubernatorial standard-bearer.