About 30 United Mine Workers of America members rallied Tuesday afternoon in support of Bill Enyart, the Democrats' 12th U.S House District nominee, at Miners Memorial Park, 110 S. Short St., West Frankfort. Union leaders used the event to announce the labor group's formal endorsement for Enyart, a Belleville lawyer and former commander of the Illinois National Guard.

"Supporting the coal industry is an investment in both our local economy and the working Americans who rely on secure, well-paid jobs to support their families," Enyart said. "I am honored to have the support of the men and women of our coal-mining community, as well as the full endorsement of the UMWA."

Enyart, 63, is running against GOP nominee Jason Plummer, 30, a Fairview Heights real estate developer, and Green Party nominee Paul Bradshaw, 59, an emergency room nurse from Carbondale.

The three candidates are seeking to replace U.S. Rep. Jerry Costello, D-Belleville, who is retiring after 24 years in office.