Podcast
Maine's Political Pulse
Hosted by Steve Mistler, Kevin Miller · EN
The Maine Political Pulse features news and analysis of politics and government by correspondents Steve Mistler and Kevin Miller. Both have extensive experience covering the Maine Legislature, U.S. Congress and state elections for newspapers like the Portland Press Herald and now for Maine Public. The Pulse is offered as a podcast and a newsletter and is excerpted for broadcast segments during All Things Considered and Morning Edition. You can subscribe to the newsletter here and you can find the podcast on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and other streaming services.
14episodes
Episodes
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May 15, 2026: Looking to topple Bobby Charles, Maine's GOP primary candidates are turning to an unlikely tool
2w ago00:08:25Tap to summarizeWhile public polling in the contest has been scarce, Bobby Charles has drawn the most scrutiny from his rivals.
Transcribe →May 14, 2026: How the Democrats running to be Maine's next governor are trying to stand out from the crowd
2w ago00:11:21Tap to summarizeWith the primary elections just a month away, the five Democrats running for Maine governor are each working to distinguish themselves in a race that’s been both issue-oriented and remarkably civil, at least so far.
Transcribe →March 19, 2026: In attacking Graham Platner, Maine Gov. Janet Mills hopes women will energize her U.S. Senate bid
Mar 1900:10:05Tap to summarizeThis week, Mills, who's been trailing Platner in publicly available polling, launched an attack ad that leans heavily on one of her strengths to try to expose a potential weakness in her opponent’s resilient candidacy: women voters.
Transcribe →Feb. 20, 2026: All eyes are on this special House election in Lewiston. Here's why
Feb 2000:09:16Tap to summarizeThe fight for the House District 94 seat in Lewiston is a preview of — or perhaps an early skirmish in — this fall’s larger battle between the parties for state houses in Maine and across the country.
Transcribe →Jan. 16, 2026: Maine political leaders react as rumors swirl about ICE action
Jan 1600:11:08Tap to summarizeThe prospects of ramped-up federal immigration enforcement in Maine’s two largest cities elicited strong responses from state and local elected leaders that — not surprisingly — fell largely along partisan lines. Plus the 2026 money race and Platner gets personal.
Transcribe →Jan. 2, 2026: A conversation with Rep. Jared Golden on his decision not to run again
Jan 200:52:40Tap to summarizeThe past year delivered a lot of big surprises and Rep. Jared Golden's sudden decision to abandon his reelection bid was among them. Maine Public chief politics correspondent Steve Mistler and fellow politics correspondent Kevin Miller recently sat down with Rep. Jared Golden for a lengthy conversation about the factors that led to his decision.During the conversation, he spoke about the warring factions within the Democratic Party; how some Democrats refuse to recognize the electoral realities of the 2nd Congressional District that he represents; and yes, about that infamous column he wrote before the 2024 election that made so many Democrats angry. He also had a few things to say about why he drew a primary challenger this year from former Secretary of State Matt Dunlap.
Transcribe →Dec. 12, 2025: Deep-pocketed groups are already spending on the Maine U.S. Senate race. Here’s an early guide
Dec 1200:05:32Tap to summarizeAdImpact, an organization tracking political ads, estimates the Maine Senate contest could help draw more than $300 million in spending on congressional races in the state next year. That’s nearly a third more than the record-smashing amount spent in 2020 when Republican U.S. Sen. Susan Collins secured her fifth term.
Transcribe →Nov. 14, 2025: Angus King broke ranks to help end the government shutdown. The backlash has been withering
Nov 1400:07:23Tap to summarizeThe longest federal government shutdown in U.S. history is over. But with little to show for it, the mostly Democratic politicians who ended the standoff now face intense backlash.
Transcribe →Nov. 5, 2025: Maine voters reject elections overhauls, enact red-flag gun bill
Nov 500:08:31Tap to summarizeThe results from Tuesday’s referendum election highlighted new challenges for conservative activists hoping to use Maine’s citizens’ initiative process to implement long-sought changes to election law, while also challenging the supremacy gun rights groups have historically had over firearms laws.
Transcribe →Oct. 31, 2025: Here's your last-minute guide to Questions 1 and 2 on Tuesday's ballot
Oct 3100:08:24Tap to summarizeOn Tuesday, Maine voters will settle long-running policy debates over voter ID and guns during an off-year election that has been overshadowed by events in DC and primary contests that won't be decided until next year.
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