Independent candidate Terry Hayes officially launched her clean elections campaign for the governor's seat in Maine Monday. Hayes was joined by family, friends, and supporters as she made her announcement during press conferences in Portland and Bangor.

“I am running as an independent, clean elections candidate for Governor because I choose to be beholden to the Maine people, and not to party leaders, wealthy donors, and special interests,” said Terry. “I have the experience, independence, and courage to lead Maine in a bold new direction.”

I often get asked questions such as, “why isn’t the GOP standing up to Trump? Congress obviously hates him.” Sometimes the questions are worded with less curiosity, but that is the ultimate question behind what people are saying.

While it’s not always clear just how each member of Congress feels, it appears to be the case that there is greater intra-party antagonism between the GOP Congress and the presidency than in a very long time.

If this is the case, why does it all seem to be swept under the rug rather than brought into the light?

I am Boltman.

I’ve supported the Chargers franchise for more than 22 years. During that time, I’ve given 100% of my commitment, passion, and dedication to the blue, white, and gold whether the Chargers are at home or away.

I’m not upset because the Chargers suck.

I’m troubled because the Chargers belong in San Diego.

Homelessness had become epidemic long before an outbreak of hepatitis A killed 18 San Diegans and hospitalized nearly 500 others this year. Politicians ignored the former and now the latter—transmitted through contact with infected human feces—has hit the fan.

Now, there’s a scramble on to contain the virus. And while hepatitis A has spawned greater focus on the over-arching problem—homelessness—the question remains as to whether political attention will wane once the outbreak is under control.

Witness now the political posturing and finger pointing.

California Governor Jerry Brown signed two bills Thursday that will give San Diego County voters greater control in county elections.

AB 801 restructures the county's Independent Redistricting Commission by creating a representative 14-member commission that is not solely comprised of retired judges like the current commission's structure requires. It will now be a bipartisan panel representing all 5 supervisorial districts.

Speaking at the annual Air Force Association conference on September 20, Defense Secretary James Mattis engaged in the time-honored tradition of complaining about the defense budget. While many would say that with defense making up the largest expenditure in the federal budget there couldn’t possibly be a problem, Mattis may actually have been correct in his comments, according to the Congressional Budget Office.

The Department of Homeland Security and US Customs and Border Protection San Diego, showed off eight wall prototypes near the Otay Mesa Port of Entry.

https://twitter.com/CBPSanDiego/status/918137332880019456

The prototypes, four made of concrete and four made of other materials, began construction last month and were expected to be completed within 30 days. The prototypes are expected to cost nearly $4 million.  Six companies are taking part in the construction of their prototypes.

https://twitter.com/CBPSanDiego/status/918189046366535680

Republican US Sen. Ben Sasse (R-Neb.) responded to a tweet from President Donald Trump over the weekend, in which the president called out the "one-sided coverage" in the media:

https://twitter.com/BenSasse/status/916721683800629248

Sasse raises an important point. It is not just a one-sided narrative, as the president suggests. The current national narrative is dominated by two private political corporations that only speak to less than a quarter of the voting population.

With the stroke of a pen, Governor Jerry Brown has reformed the power structure at the San Diego Association of Governments (SANDAG).

For many, including organized labor, it was a huge victory that now begins a massive change at the agency that's seen huge turmoil the last 12 months.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR LABOR

SANDAG will now be required to hire from state-approved groups for large construction projects, unless it signs union-friendly PLA's or project labor agreements.

Update 10/12/17: US Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-Texas) says there are "hundreds of potential federal charges" in the Awan scandal.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lFDs22s3DUY