Associated Press Published

Democratic Gubernatorial Candidates Receive Union Support

Jim Justice

The United Mine Workers of America threw its support behind businessman Jim Justice in the West Virginia Governor’s race. 

Fellow Democratic candidate Jeff Kessler also picked up a union endorsement Thursday — The Bricklayers District Council of West Virginia.

  UMWA President Cecil Roberts said in a news release that the union’s vote to support Justice was unanimous.

The UMWA represents more than 35,000 active and retired coal miners in West Virginia.

Justice comes from a coal family, his father was a miner, as was his grandfather. Much of Jim Justice’s wealth has come from the coal industry.

  The Bricklayers District Council of West Virginia represents bricklayers, masons and tile setters, among other tradesmen.

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Credit Martin Valent / West Virginia Legislative Photography
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West Virginia Legislative Photography

“Jeff Kessler has always stood alongside the hardworking men and women of West Virginia,” Director Leroy Hunter said in a news release released by the Kessler campaign. “Jeff Kessler is the real Democrat in the Democratic primary and we are proud not only to endorse, but also support him.”

Kessler is the current West Virginia Senate minority leader.