The Politicker Network, or Politicker.com, was a national network of fifty state-based political websites operated by the ''

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''.

Origins

The network had its origins in journalist Ben Smith's ''

'' blog, "''The Politicker,''" which focused on New York state politics. Launched in 2005, the original blog became "the most widely read" blog among political circles. It was called the "Best Local Politics Blog" by '' The Village Voice'', who noted the lively comment section. In 2005, failed candidate for the Democratic nomination for

Mayor of New York City The mayor of New York City, officially Mayor of the City of New York, is head of the executive branch of the government of New York City and the chief executive of New York City. The mayor's office administers all city services, public property ...

Christopher X. Brodeur Christopher X. Brodeur is an artist, writer, and musician. Brodeur has been acquitted and found not guilty after being arrested and spending time in jail for harassing members of New York City's mayor's press office staff. He ran for mayor of N ...

, was arrested for leaving death threats on Smith's ''New York Observer'' voice mail, in retaliation for unflattering coverage in the Politicker blog.

Growth and decline

James Pindell, formerly of '' The Boston Globe,'' was hired as National Managing Editor in January 2008. In December 2008, the network was reduced from 17 to 6 sites, with a focus on the northeast region. By January 2009, the New Hampshire, Massachusetts, and Pennsylvania websites were closed, leaving the network with sites remaining in New York and New Jersey. Those closings effectively ended the national aspirations of the "Politicker" brand.

State bureaus

The Pennsylvania bureau, called PolitickerPA.com, was cited as a source by the other news media, including the ''

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,'' the '' Pittsburgh Post-Gazette,'' the ''

Pittsburgh Tribune-Review The ''Pittsburgh Tribune-Review'', also known as "the Trib," is the second largest daily newspaper serving metropolitan Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, in the United States. Although it transitioned to an all-digital format on December 1, 2016, it rem ...

,'' the '' Pittsburgh City Paper,'' '' The Beaver County Times,'' '' The Citizens' Voice,'' and the '' Lancaster New Era. Journalist Dan Hirschhorn worked as the Philadelphia-based correspondent for PolitickerPA. PolitickerPA was closed in January 2009, causing one journalist to exclaim "Damn. One less source to do our work for us." The ''

'' and the '' Lancaster Sunday News'' reported on local connections in PolitickerPA's "Power List 2008." PolitickerPA is not to be confused with another Pennsylvania politics website, PoliticsPA.

References

{{reflist, 2 American political websites Internet properties established in 2008 Politics of New York (state)