Muddy Waters

Where I discuss by myself and with special guests things going on in our political world here in Maine as well as discussing national and at times global issues. I'm not muddying the water but helping you understand how muddy the water is and helping you chart a path forward. charleschuckellis.substack.com

Muddy Waters is a news podcast hosted by Charles "Chuck" Ellis, with 199 episodes on record and a Required Pod Score of 80. PitchCentric scores this show on Booking Probability, Listen Score, and live audience signals refreshed every 24 hours.

Charles "Chuck" Ellis hosts Muddy Waters, a news show with 199 episodes published.

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  Muddy Waters

  Ep. 198 Where We Stand: Maine’s Key Races with Aaron Chadbourne

  Aug 10, 20261h 7m

  On this episode of the Muddy Waters Podcast, host Chuck Ellis sits down with Aaron Chadbourne (Inside Maine on WGAN, former senior policy adviser in the LePage administration) for a clear-eyed look at Maine’s major races.They dig into the U.S. Senate contest between Susan Collins and Troy Jackson (following the collapse of Graham Platner’s campaign), Paul LePage’s path in CD2 against Matt Dunlap, the governor’s race featuring Hannah Pingree, Bobby Charles, and independent Rick Bennett, Chellie Pingree’s hold on CD1, the critical Cumberland County DA race with Stephanie Anderson, and the battle for control of the Maine House and Senate. Aaron brings his signature realism on Republican prospects, the power of local races, media bias, and why hard work and turnout matter more than hope. Practical insights for anyone who wants to understand what’s actually happening in Maine politics—and how to influence it.Tune in for straight talk on the races that will shape the state’s future.#MainePolitics #MuddyWatersPodcast #SusanCollins #PaulLePage #HannahPingree #AaronChadbourne

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  Muddy Waters

  Ep. 197 with Annalyse Sarvinas, Candidate for Maine House District 51 (Topsham)

  Aug 10, 202658 min

  Chuck Ellis talks with Annalyse Sarvinas, Republican candidate for Maine House District 51 (Topsham).A teacher and mom of two, Annalyse explains why she’s running and the issues she’s focused on: taxes and affordability, government fraud, education reform (including phonics-based literacy), healthcare access, and support for local law enforcement. She also discusses her approach to limited government and public service.Visit votesarvinas.com to learn more or get involved.

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  Muddy Waters

  Ep. 196 with Eryn Soule, candidate for State Senate

  Aug 3, 202652 min

  In this episode of the Muddy Waters Podcast, Chuck Ellis talks with Eryn Soule, former Lewiston City Councilor and Independent candidate for Maine State Senate.Eryn shares how she fell in love with Lewiston after moving from Freeport, her two years on the City Council fighting for public safety, and why she launched a citizens’ petition to put a stricter needle-exchange ordinance on the November ballot. They dig into syringe litter, the problems with unlimited needle distribution, rising HIV concerns, soft-on-crime policies, support for police and prosecutors, and what it will take for Augusta to actually fight for Lewiston.She also explains why she’s running as an unenrolled Independent and encourages Lewiston voters to turn out and vote yes on the needle ordinance.Find Eryn on Facebook at “Eryn Soule for Senate.” She’s a Clean Elections candidate — Lewiston residents can make a $5 contribution through the Maine Ethics Commission.Muddy Waters Podcast – helping Mainers understand what’s really going on in our state.

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  Muddy Waters

  Ep. 195: Flock Cameras & the Privacy Fight in Maine with Nick Murray of Lead Maine

  Jul 30, 202650 min

  In this episode of the Muddy Waters Podcast, host Chuck Ellis sits down with Nick Murray, Policy & Communications Director at Lead Maine, for a deep dive into Flock Safety cameras and automatic license plate readers (ALPRs) spreading across Maine.These fixed cameras don’t just read plates—they log make, model, bumper stickers, and even track bikes and pedestrians, feeding data into massive national databases. Nick explains how this creates “pattern of life” surveillance, raises serious Fourth Amendment concerns, and has already led to documented abuses by law enforcement. Towns like Auburn and South Portland installed systems with little public notice (sometimes via federal grants), only to face fierce backlash and cancel contracts.They discuss why this isn’t a left-vs-right issue—ACLU of Maine and conservatives are aligned here—why “local control” failed, the case for a statewide ban, and practical steps Mainers can take: FOIA requests, town meetings, petitions, and legislative testimony.Nick also shares Lead Maine’s longer-term mission: building a pipeline of engaged citizens for free-market policies and a more prosperous Maine by 2030, plus an update on their MaineCare accountability project.If you value privacy, due process, and limited government, this conversation is essential listening.Subscribe, share, and join the conversation. Protecting constitutional rights starts at the local level.

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  Muddy Waters

  Ep. 194: Maine Girl Dads Fight Back – Secretary of State Invalidates Signatures to Block Protect Girls Sports Ballot Initiative

  Jul 21, 202651 min

  Chuck Ellis interviews Leyland Streiff of Maine Girl Dads about the ongoing legal fight to save the “Protect Girls Sports and Spaces” citizen initiative. After massive signature collection, the Secretary of State’s office invalidated thousands of signatures on technicalities, blocking it from the November ballot.Now in federal court to revalidate signatures and restore the petition.

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