Coal Miners Hope Romney Keeps His Word - WTRF 7 News Sports Weather - Wheeling Steubenville

Coal miners, their families, and supporters of the coal industry gathered in Beallsville, Ohio Tuesday to hear what Republican Presidential Candidate Mitt Romney had to say about the issues that matter to them.

11-year-old Hailey Mallet came to the Century Mine to support her dad and all coal miners.

"It's sort of scary because every day he goes underground and he sort of risks his life because anything could happen to him," she said.

Coal mining is a profession and industry that's important to voters in Easter Ohio. Mitt Romney made a stop on his bus tour in the swing state to convince voters he's a friend of the coal industry.

Some political figures say Romney is out of touch on the coal industry altogether. Former Ohio Gov. Ted Strickland offered his own thoughts on the Romney camp. Click here to read the story.

Jac Chaffee has been working in the coal mines for almost a year and thinks Mitt Romney is a good candidate for president, and says it's hard to find someone who supports the industry.

"It's not looking good for us and we're trying to do everything we can to keep our jobs," Chaffee said.

Alcwyn Elliot was among the hundreds in the crowd Tuesday at the Century Mine and said he agreed with 100 percent of Romney's speech.

The feeling for some coal miner's Tuesday was unexplainable.

"I mean, he could have been anywhere, any coal mine, and he's here today," said Rodney Enos, who's been working in a coal mine for five years.

"It's my livelihood," Enos said. "It's how I take care of my family".

Deborah White's husband worked in coal for 33 years, and she say's President Obama is working to destroy the industry.

"He is decimating West Virginia and Pennsylvania and Ohio, all of the coal states in essence," she said.

Husband David, agree's and is here to support Mitt Romney. "It's good to see that there's people that still believe in industry, that believe in coal," he said.

Cassie Demchak comes from a family of coal miners and was also happy about what Mitt Romney had to say.

"I think we need jobs in America and that's not being done right now," she said. "I want my husband to keep his job, it's a wonderful job, and we have a great life".

Many coal miners said they liked what the Republican candidate had to say, they just hope he keeps his word.