WFBO (NPR, Buffalo), May 20, 2018

New York's Working Families Party has formally endorsed actress Cynthia Nixon as its gubernatorial candidate. The small, progressive party held its annual convention on Saturday in Harlem.

The 52-year-old Emmy award-winning activist accepted the party's support.

The state's Green Party Saturday endorsed Howie Hawkins for governor. Hawkins is a retired teamster who is making his third run for the office.

Both the state Democratic and Republican parties are holding nominating conventions this week.

The Democrats, meeting at Hofstra University, are expected to endorse incumbent Governor Andrew Cuomo while the Republicans, who will gather in Manhattan, will back Dutchess County Executive Marc Molinaro. Cuomo faces a likely primary challenge from Nixon. Molinaro has a clear path to the November election.

This year, the nominations for attorney general will take on special significance following the abrupt departure of Eric Schneiderman, who resigned amid allegations that he assaulted four women.

So far, New York City Public Advocate Letitia James is the only candidate to officially enter the race, but several other names have been mentioned as possible Democratic candidates, including U.S. Rep. Sean Patrick Maloney and Fordham law professor and progressive activist Zephyr Teachout.

Acting Attorney General Barbara Underwood now leads the office. Lawmakers could appoint a new attorney general to finish out Schneiderman's term or simply wait for voters to make a decision in November.

Republican Manny Alicandro, a corporate attorney from Manhattan, was already planning on running for attorney general. But the GOP, meeting in Manhattan, could nominate a more high-profile candidate in the wake of Schneiderman's resignation.

The Associated Press contributed content to this report.