A Missouri House race has been rocked by the Wednesday arrest of Republican candidate Thomas Ross, whom prosecutors accuse of attempting to frame his primary opponent Louise Secker for cocaine possession.
In June, Ross allegedly gave his former campaign manager, identified by the initials “CS” in court documents, a bag of cocaine and Adderall. The two allegedly devised a plan for the former manager to stash the drugs in Secker’s purse or vehicle.
On 21 June, prosecutors said, Ross asked for an update on the plot.
“Taking it no luck with the substance of it all?” he wrote in a text to his staffer. “Substance” was a euphemism for the narcotics, authorities say.
“I am actually creeping down to the car show right now and seeing if I can see your car. I have had it on me for a couple days in order to be able to take full advantage of any opportunity that arises,” the former manager replied, according to court documents.
“I thought I had it at the forum Walter went to, but never got close [and] car was locked.”
The Joplin police department in Missouri alerted the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) on 30 July to a public corruption matter. It’s unclear how the police were alerted to the alleged scheme. The next day, the federal agency gave the former manager a covert recording device, which he used to tape a conversation with Ross.
The former manager offered to call in an anonymous tip about Secker’s car containing drugs and asked if Ross wanted it done.
“If you can pull it off … pull it off,” Ross replied.
Ross has been charged with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance. It’s unclear if the former manager will also face criminal charges.
Secker did not immediately respond to a phone call.
Ross defeated Secker in August by a razor-thin margin of just 33 votes in the Republican primary for house district 161. The district includes Joplin, a city about 70 miles (112km) west of Springfield.
The incumbent state representative, Republican Lane Roberts, is not running for re-election.
Missouri Republican party chair Peter Kinder called on Ross to withdraw from the race.
“While Mr Ross is entitled to due process and the facts surrounding this matter must be allowed to come to light, the circumstances of his arrest are serious and deeply troubling,” Kinder said in a statement.
“The people of the 161st district deserve a nominee who can devote his full attention to earning their trust and representing their interests in Jefferson City.”
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