In this episode of the Muddy Waters Podcast, Chuck Ellis speaks with Leyland Streiff, leader of the Maine Girl Dads coalition and the principal petitioner behind the Protect Girls Sports in Maine citizen initiative.Leyland explains how the proposed ballot measure would define sex based on the original birth certificate and designate school sports, bathrooms, locker rooms, and showers accordingly — aiming to protect fairness and privacy for girls without banning anyone from participating.They discuss the legislature’s refusal to act, the signature drive that collected over 82,000 signatures, opposition arguments, the debate over the ballot question wording from Secretary of State Shenna Bellows, and why this remains a strong majority issue across party lines in Maine.A timely conversation on parental rights, sex-based protections, and democracy in action ahead of the November 2026 vote.Learn more at: protectgirlssportsinmaine.com

Matthew Leggett from Lebanon, Maine joins Chuck Ellis to share how he got involved in local politics after seeing wasteful spending on a new fire station and major problems in his children’s school district.From sky-high school taxes (82% of the town budget) and declining academics to heavy emphasis on DEI and gender ideology over basic skills, Matt explains why he started showing up, organizing parents, and pushing for better candidates.A practical, motivating conversation about why local involvement matters, how conservatives can overcome the “I’m too busy” barrier, and simple steps anyone can take to help flip school boards and protect Maine kids.#Maine #Education #ParentalRights #SchoolBoard

Sarah Doten, a Freeport mom and former student of the local schools, joins Chuck Ellis to recount her experience with the Human Growth and Development curriculum in RSU5.In 2019, after months of seeking curriculum details ahead of her daughter's 8th grade year and receiving evasive answers, Sarah learned that Through These Doors had visited the classroom. The two-day session included discussions and activities on sexting, asking for and refusing nudes, healthy vs. unhealthy relationships, and boundary setting over technology — with students physically moving around the room based on hypothetical scenarios.Sarah describes the minimal notification to parents, her pushback with teachers and the principal (who said he didn't know the group was there), her religious objections as a Catholic parent, and the Planned Parenthood sponsorship listed on the handout. She also notes the difference in transparency when she reached out to other nearby districts.This episode highlights concerns about outside groups presenting sensitive topics in school without full parental awareness or consent, and the challenges parents face when questioning curriculum choices.Resources mentioned include Parents Rights in Education Maine for families seeking support and transparency.#MaineEducation #ParentalRights #Freeport #ThroughTheseDoors

Jon Fetherston of The Maine Wire joins Chuck Ellis for an unfiltered discussion on Maine politics.Topics include: Graham Platner polling far ahead of Janet Mills, the chaotic Democratic Senate primary, Legislature dysfunction with a new "millionaire's tax" and taxpayer-funded home security for lawmakers, Flock cameras, ranked-choice voting issues, and how rising energy/gas prices from Middle East tensions are hitting Mainers.They also discuss election integrity concerns, low-information voters, and the importance of real investigative journalism.A no-holds-barred look at what's really happening in Maine ahead of key elections.Follow The Maine Wire for more stories. New Muddy Waters episodes drop regularly.

Chuck Ellis sits down with Nicolas Hamlin, Republican candidate for Maine House District 49.A veteran from a deeply patriotic military family, Nicolas started a charity softball game in 2013 to honor his father and help homeless veterans. The event has raised over $130,000 for Maine veterans in need, but Nicolas realized the real issue is failed policy — not a lack of money.He discusses fighting fraud and waste in Augusta, lowering taxes and energy costs, creating real housing and job solutions, ending policies that enable addiction, and practical environmental approaches (including concerns about solar development and its impact on bees and fishing grounds).Nicolas is also focused on building local Republican committees and bringing energy and honest representation to a competitive district with no incumbent this cycle.Straight talk from a veteran who wants real results for Maine.Essential listening for anyone who wants to take back our state.Guest: Nicolas Hamlin – Candidate for Maine House District 49 (Arrowsic, Georgetown, Phippsburg, Woolwich, West Bath)

Chuck Ellis interviews Ben Porter, Republican candidate for Maine Senate District 23.A 25-year Army veteran with combat experience and Special Operations background, Ben later worked in cybersecurity at the U.S. Treasury, where he fixed broken programs and saved taxpayers significant money through better contracting and oversight.Now he’s running to bring that same discipline and service mindset to Augusta. Ben talks about making Maine more affordable by lowering energy costs and taxes, providing property tax relief, attracting businesses, prioritizing Maine citizens, protecting the fishing industry, and rooting out fraud and waste in state government.He emphasizes listening to constituents and delivering real policy changes — not empty bills with nice-sounding titles.A strong conversation about service, accountability, and putting Maine first.Essential listening for voters in Senate District 23 and anyone who wants to see real change in Augusta.Guest: Ben Porter – Candidate for Maine Senate District 23

Chuck Ellis welcomes Jon Fetherston of The Maine Wire back to the Muddy Waters Podcast.They recap the Maine Republican gubernatorial debate, discuss the crowded but strong field of candidates, and explain why this election could shape the state for the next decade. Topics include failing schools, rampant government fraud, activist policies, and why local races (school boards, city councils, Augusta) matter more to your daily life than national news.Jon also breaks down the apparent political attack on House Minority Leader Billy Bob Faulkingham, who faces child labor violations for letting a teen family friend work on his lobster boat and learn the trade.A strong call to focus on Maine issues, reject business-as-usual, and get engaged ahead of the primary and general election.Essential listening if you want straight talk about fixing Maine.

In Episode 159 of the Muddy Waters Podcast, host Chuck Ellis is joined by Aaron Chadbourne for a detailed breakdown of the recent Maine Republican gubernatorial debate hosted by The Maine Wire in Bangor.

They analyze standout performances from candidates including Bobby Charles, Owen McCarthy, Ben Miggley, Jonathan Bush, Garrett Mason, and others. The conversation covers:

• Who gained the most ground (Owen McCarthy, Ben Miggley, and Jonathan Bush)
• David Jones’ late attack on front-runner Bobby Charles and why the timing and tone may have backfired
• The effectiveness of personalized questions vs. traditional debate format
• Name recognition, fundraising, and viability in a crowded 8-candidate field
• How candidates can appeal to independent voters in the general election
• The role of rank-choice voting and whether a “thinning of the herd” is coming

Aaron and Chuck also discuss the strong production by The Maine Wire, the energy in the room, and what this debate means as the real campaign season begins now that the ballot is set.

This is an honest, unfiltered look at the Republican field as they prepare to take on the Democrats in 2026 — essential listening for anyone following Maine politics.

The Muddy Waters Podcast remains committed to helping Mainers understand the issues without mainstream media spin.

Follow The Maine Wire for more coverage.
#LewistonShooting #MaineGOP #MaineGovernor2026 #GOPDebate #MainePolitics #RankChoiceVoting

In Episode 158 of the Muddy Waters Podcast, host Chuck Ellis talks with Amy Susman and Destiny Johnson about the handling of donations after the 2023 Lewiston mass shooting.

Amy, whose nephew Max Hathaway was one of the 18 killed, explains how she discovered that nearly $1.9 million of the $6.6 million raised by the Maine Community Foundation went to 29 local nonprofits (roughly $65,000 each), while many direct victims and survivors received far less. She discusses transparency issues, donor confusion (many believed 100% would go to victims and families), steering committee conflicts of interest, and limited direct help from some funded organizations.

Destiny, who was inside Schemengees during the shooting and witnessed her friend being shot, shares the lasting trauma survivors face and the gaps in support they encountered.

The conversation covers revictimization, best practices from Victims First (100% of funds go directly to victims with no admin fees), calls for accountability from the Maine Community Foundation, and why this matters for trust in nonprofits after tragedies.

Full disclosure: Chuck serves as Chairman of the Board for The Root Cellar, one of the organizations that received funds and later redirected an equivalent amount ($65,521.79) directly to Victims First to support Lewiston victims and survivors.

This is an unfiltered look at a story the mainstream media has largely avoided. If you care about donor intent, transparency, and supporting those still impacted by the Lewiston tragedy, this episode is essential listening.

Victims First Lewiston fund (direct support for victims & survivors): victimsfirst.org
Ongoing coverage: The Maine Wire

#LewistonShooting #MaineCommunityFoundation #VictimFund #MainePodcast #Transparency

In this powerful episode of the Muddy Waters Podcast, host Chuck Ellis interviews Kenny “The Maverick” Cianchette, candidate for Maine State Senate District 26.Kenny opens up about his 2024 run, the underhanded politics he faced, and why he’s running again — this time with more experience, better organization, and zero tolerance for excuses on the child welfare crisis.Key topics:• Tim Nangle’s broken promise to Bill Diamond on LD 555 and reforming child services• Maine’s tragic leadership failures at DHHS and the fight to create a standalone Department of Child and Family Services• Bold solutions for affordability: major tax relief, energy policy overhaul, and stopping the spending binge in Augusta• Why this race is critical for Republicans to take the Maine Senate in 2026• Kenny’s message to voters in Windham, Raymond, Casco & beyondA must-listen for anyone tired of politics as usual and ready for real accountability in Maine.Support the campaign: kennyforsenate.comFollow Muddy Waters Podcast for more unfiltered conversations about what’s really happening in Maine.Keywords: Kenny Cianchette, Maine Senate District 26, Tim Nangle, child welfare Maine, LD 555, Bill Diamond, Maine politics 2026, cost of living crisis, Muddy Waters Podcast