About Byron Tucker Jr.

A Nicholas County Native

My name is Byron Tucker, Jr. I'm a retired mine inspector with more than four decades of experience in the coal industry, workplace safety, and labor advocacy — and most importantly, I'm a Nicholas County native.

I was born and raised right here in Nicholas County and graduated from Nicholas County High School in 1980. Like a lot of folks in Nicholas County, I didn't leave home looking for opportunity — I went straight to work. The coal mines were where you earned a living, raised a family, and learned to depend on the person next to you.

In December of 1981, I married my wife, K Lee Willman, and together we raised two sons. One served our country in the United States Marine Corps, and the other works every day in the private sector.

A Life of Hard Work

I entered the coal mines right after high school. Underground, whether you were working in Nicholas County or across the line in Fayette or Kanawha, the rules were the same: you watch your partner's back, or somebody doesn't come home.

Later, work took me to Maryland as an industrial electrician and mechanic, but in 1996 I came home — back to West Virginia coal country — and returned to underground mining. I worked with crews from all over this region.

Keeping Miners Safe

In 2004, I joined West Virginia Miners' Health, Safety & Training, working with miners from Boone, Raleigh, Kanawha, Fayette, and Nicholas Counties, teaching hazard recognition, emergency response, and compliance. Those classes weren't about checking a box — they were about making sure a miner could recognize danger before it became a tragedy.

Later, I served with MSHA, the Mine Safety and Health Administration. I inspected mines across southern West Virginia, enforced federal safety standards, and worked directly with operators and miners alike. I carried that responsibility until March 4, 2020, when a disabling stroke forced me into retirement.

Service That Never Stopped

That stroke ended my full-time career — but it did not end my service.

I've been a proud member of UMWA Local 8843, and I served as a steward and Executive Vice President with AFGE Local 3181. I understand what union representation means in places like Boone and Raleigh Counties, where a union card isn't politics — it's protection.

I've also served as a volunteer firefighter with the Kessler's Cross Lanes Volunteer Fire Department, and since 2022 I've volunteered with the West Virginia Gold Star Mothers Bridge Ride, honoring families across this state who paid the highest price for our freedom.

Today, I continue to teach miner safety part-time with New River Safety Training, working with miners from across the region — passing on experience that can't be learned from a book.

Why I'm Running

I believe leadership should come from people who've done the work. I believe safety should never depend on your zip code. And I believe the people of Nicholas County deserve leaders who understand their lives — not just talk about them.

West Virginia was built by working people who kept their word and looked out for one another. That's how I was raised. That's how I worked. And that's the kind of leadership I bring.

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