CHARLESTON, W.Va. — “Trump digs coal” was one of many signs spotted in a crowd of over 11,000 people who packed the Charleston Civic Center to cheer on Donald Trump who pledged to put West Virginia miners back to work.
“It’s real tough,” admitted Phillip Baisden, a laid off miner whose been working in the mines for 25 years. Baisden, of Chapmanville, attended at a Thursday night rally for the Republican presidential candidate who, he said he believes, will move the country forward.
“He’s for creating jobs. He’s against Hillary (Clinton) is one main thing,” he laughed.
Adam Anderson, a state Division of Highways worker, agreed. He said he’s seen how tough it’s been for coal mining families and knows Trump will put people back to work.
“I think he’s for the working man. I’m a working man. I love to work and I don’t want a hand out from nobody,” he said. “I know many people — close friends, family members. It’s heart breaking.”
Trump received an endorsement from the West Virginia Coal Association during the Charleston rally. He was given a white hard hat, waved at the hundreds of coal miners in the crowd and proudly placed it on his head.
“He is not adverse to coal,” said Debbie, a Trump supporter, who didn’t want to give her last name. “I think he’s going to try and bring coal back, which is the mainstay of this state.”
Laura Craig of Mason County said she attended for one reason.
“It’s The Donald!” she shouted.
“I think he’s a very intelligent man,” she continued. “I think he speaks the truth and some people can’t handle that.”
Earlier in the week, state Senate President and Republican gubernatorial candidate Bill Cole endorsed Trump for President. Cole told MetroNews not only does he believe Trump will help the struggling coal industry, but he will also unite the GOP.
“If the GOP wants to be in the White House, it’s incumbent that the party comes together. It’ll be up to Donald Trump to lead the charge of pulling the party together, but it takes everybody pulling in one direction,” he said.
Thursday’s crowd united before the doors of the Civic Center opened and continued throughout the night. People shouted “Trump!,” “USA!” and sang “Country Roads” several times in which Trump responded “Ah, this is beautiful.”
“He is the nominee of the Republican Party,” Mike Stuart, co-chair of the West Virginia Donald Trump campaign following Trump’s exit. It was Trump’s first major address since former GOP presidential candidates Ted Cruz and John Kasich dropped out of the race this week.
“We’re going to go into Cleveland with a whole bunch of steam right now,” Stuart said. “We’re going to win this campaign. I’m confident of it.”
Stuart told MetroNews the amount of people at Thursday’s rally “could have filled Mountaineer field.”
Trump urged West Virginians to shift their focus to the General Election and promised he would visit the Mountain State before November.
“I’ll be back I’m sure more than once or twice, even, because this is a very important state to win,” Trump said. “You are going to be very proud.”