Editor, News-Register:

As a fourth-generation coal miner who has worked in the industry for many years, I am proud of the work that I and many others have done to mine the coal that builds and powers our country. However, the headlines that have come out about Jim Justice and his embarrassing treatment of his own workers are deeply concerning.

The Justice family has operated coal mines in our state for decades and has boasted billion-dollar profits, but they leave their own workers behind. The ones who gave them their wealth. When I read that Justice failed to pay over six years worth of UMWA retiree benefit plan premiums to his workers, I was appalled. Not only that, but his companies have incurred millions of dollars in mining safety violations. As a mine worker myself, I find myself asking: How can someone work for a man who sacrifices his own workers’ security and then doesn’t pay them?

I think it’s time for Justice to clean up the mess he created before anyone thinks about sending him to Washington, which has enough problems of its own.

Fortunately, we have a candidate running for Senate here in West Virginia who cares about our coal workers, and his track record proves it. I’ve known Congressman Mooney to be a man of integrity, and I believe he will do everything in his power to keep us safe and protect our jobs. I look forward to supporting Congressman Mooney in next year’s Senate primary, and I encourage others to do the same.

Chris Rose

Wheeling