April 13, 2026 - Below is a message from Chris Hamilton, President, West Virginia Coal Association:

To:                    WVCA Membership 

From:               Chris Hamilton

Re:                    Election 2026 -- WVCA Coal PAC Endorsements

Here for your review and use is a copy of our endorsements for the May 12 Primary Election. 

These candidates for public office are strong supporters of the coal industry, and we encourage you to make every attempt possible to support their candidacy and encourage others within your circle of business colleagues, friends and family members to support them as well.   The Primary Election is set for Tuesday, May 12, however West Virginia’s early voting period begins on April 29.

On the federal level, we are proud to endorse US Senator Shelley Moore Capito for the US Senate, Carol Miller for WV’s 1^st Congressional District and Riley Moore for WV’s 2^nd Congressional District.

We have also endorsed a total of 17 candidates for the State Senate and 75 candidates for the WV House of Delegates.  Many of these individuals are incumbents or currently hold office with strong pro-coal voting records.

We also are making the ask for you to consider a personal contribution to our Political Action Committee — West Virginians For Coal. The maximum individual campaign contribution is $2800 per election or $5600 per election cycle.

If your Company has a PAC, it may contribute up to $5,000 directly to West Virginians For Coal. Individual campaign contributions cannot exceed $2800 per election or $5600 per election cycle including the Primary and General Elections.

We are also asking you and your company to consider a corporate contribution to the “WV Coal Victory PAC” which is an “Independent Expenditure” designed to expend funds in support of our endorsed candidates.  The WV Coal Victory PAC will sponsor digital and radio ads and direct mail pieces independently of candidates running for election.

PAC Credit Card Opportunity

I’m pleased to report that individuals may now contribute to “West Virginians For Coal” by accessing our secure PAC contributing account here   https://www.wvcoal.com/pac.

The Association challenge -- Jason and I have successfully contributed $500 a piece to “West Virginians For Coal” this am by using this method which we respectfully challenge all WVCA members to match our level of contribution. If everyone follows suit, it will move us closer to our projected goal for this year's election cycle.