HEMPSTEAD, N.Y. — Governor Andrew Cuomo took questions Wednesday after a surprise appearance at the New York Democratic Convention with keynote speaker Hillary Clinton. 

Cuomo briefly joined Clinton on stage thanking her for her work and her 2016 run for the presidency. Clinton hit a laundry list of big issues that are priorities for the Democratic Party heading into this election season -- voicing her support for the governor, discussing their long history working together and his policies for working families, increasing the minimum wage and tough gun laws.

Cuomo says his track record of progressive policies is the reason he's the right candidate for New York. 

"The Democratic party has always been the mainstream," Cuomo said. "You have people who are more left and more right. It's a diverse state. We acknowledge and recognize everyone."

Former Vice President Joe Biden will also deliver a speech Thursday.

Gov. Cuomo secured 95 percent of the weighted vote on Wednesday at the state Democratic convention, easily winning the preferred candidate status of the committee.

His Democratic primary opponent Cynthia Nixon, a public education advocate and actress, will have to gather petition signatures to secure a spot on the ballot this September.

The result likely did not surprise Nixon, who briefly appeared at the convention to listen to nominating speeches and then left before a roll call vote by Assembly district began.

“I think at the end of the day voters are concerned with the governor’s record,” Nixon said as she was leaving. “He’s a dynastic governor.”

Nixon’s insurgent campaign has drawn support from a variety of liberal advocacy groups, but has not penetrated the establishment of the party, which has largely lined up behind Cuomo, who has won the backing of labor unions and elected officials.

“He got 95 percent because he earned it the old-fashioned way,” said Jay Jacobs, the Nassau County Democratic chairman.