The website reports on political and campaign news in Pennsylvania, from the state legislature up to federal races. The editors write occasional
features, like the weekly "Up & Down" scorecard and one-off lists like "Harrisburg's Smartest Staffers" and "Best Dressed Lobbyist" lists. In addition, PoliticsPa.com accepts anonymous tips; In 2012, it was the first news source to report that Tom Smith would challenge Bob Casey in the United States Senate race, as well as the fact that Governor Tom Corbett had endorsed Steve Welch in the contest. In 2004, it was the first news source to report in 2004 that Pennsylvania Senator
Arlen Specter would face
Pat Toomey in the Republican primary and that
Joe Hoeffel would seek the Democratic nomination that year. On occasion, the website hosts original documents including political television and radio ads, campaign fliers, and controversial letters. The editors of the website operate under the
pseudonym "Sy Snyder," a nod to the former
Pennsylvania Governor Simon Snyder Terry Madonna, professor at
Franklin and Marshall College, said in 2003 that the level of expertise demonstrated on the site implies that "Sy Snyder" must be a reporter, a politician or a consultant. Specific speculation ranges from political reporters
Pete DeCoursey and
Charlie Thompson to former
State Representative Tom Druce. == Influence ==