Muddy Waters

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

Jon Fetherston and Chuck Ellis react to Gov. Janet Mills' new attack ad blasting Graham Platner over 2013 Reddit posts blaming rape victims ("not get so f—ked up..." / "act like an adult").

Ad resurfaces old controversies (tattoo, etc.)—is this the end of Platner's lead? Dems must distance or own it.Discussion covers:

• Democrat hypocrisy on "morality" & victim-blaming.
• Incoming federal fraud hammer (Trump EO, Dr. Oz/JD Vance eyeing MaineCare scandals).
• Visible failures: Drugs, homelessness, feces in Portland—Dem policies at work.
• Urgent turnout: Register/vote—Republicans staying home elects Democrats. Local wins fix real issues (schools, fraud).
• Plug: Maine Wire Republican gubernatorial debate March 24 in Bangor—watch live!

Explosive primary drama & truth mainstream ignores. Listen now, then get registered & involved—November's coming fast!

themaine wire.com | muddywaters.us
#MaineSenate #PlatnerMills #MaineFraud #Vote2026 #PrimaryDrama

Good afternoon, Maine! Host Chuck Ellis sits down with Nathan Mahalik, a stay-at-home dad and candidate for the MSAD 52 school board (representing Leeds in the towns of Leeds, Greene, and Turner). Nathan shares his journey from 14 years in leadership at Hannaford to becoming a full-time dad to three boys, coaching T-ball, and stepping up to run for office—not out of ambition, but duty to ensure kids get a real education.

The conversation dives deep into putting students first: refocusing on reading, writing, arithmetic, science, history, and practical life skills like trades, home economics, and basic auto maintenance. Nathan critiques the overemphasis on social-emotional learning at the expense of core preparedness, questions ballooning budgets ($37M in MSAD 52), administrative bloat vs. teacher pay, and policies like Chapter 117 that limit parental involvement. He champions empowering parents, community involvement, and preparing kids for real-world success—whether college, trades, or life—without dragging them across the finish line.

A heartfelt, no-nonsense talk on why education should educate, mental health belongs at home with professionals, and why "it takes a village" means supporting—not sidelining—parents.

Election info: April 3rd (polls 1-8 PM at Leeds Town Office); early/absentee voting available through March 31st. Leeds voters—your voice matters!

Subscribe for more on-the-ground Maine insights from moms, dads, business owners, and leaders. New episodes drop regularly—next up: Tuesday update with John Fetherston.#MaineEducation #SchoolBoard #ParentalRights #BackToBasics #MSAD52

Peter Violette joins Chuck Ellis to share his story and platform as a Republican candidate for Maine Senate District 26 (primary June 9, 2026). Lifelong Mainer (Aroostook roots, Windham resident) with 20 years logging, MSW/social work (foster care/DHHS experience), and 14+ years running in-home senior care agency.

He runs because he's not giving up on Maine: Fix skyrocketing costs (taxes, housing, electricity from overregulation/"clean energy" failures), audit fraud/corruption (MaineCare scandals), reform DHHS/foster care, protect seniors (reverse nursing home closures), grow economy via deregulation/business mindset.

Firm on girls' sports: No boys in girls' categories—protect fairness while respecting individuals. Peter: "Businessman with a social worker's heart"—hard worker, collaborator, ready to win in fall.Listen now if you're in District 26 and want experienced, no-nonsense leadership. Share with voters!

Connect: peterviolette.com | Facebook Peter Violette for Maine State Senate
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#MaineSenate #District26 #PeterViolette #VoteLocal #Maine2026 #Affordability #Seniors #PrimaryElection