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Missouri candidate wanted campaign manager to plant cocaine in opponent’s car, authorities say
NBC News • • nation
Key Points:
- Thomas Christopher Ross, a Missouri state House candidate, was charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances after allegedly attempting to plant cocaine and Adderall on his political rival, Louise Secker, during the recent Republican primary.
- Ross reportedly enlisted his former campaign manager to plant the drugs in Secker’s car or purse while he was on vacation, with the campaign manager later alerting authorities and providing evidence including a glove containing the drugs.
- Text messages and a secretly recorded conversation reveal Ross’s involvement and instructions to create an anonymous tip about Secker possessing drugs, aiming to discredit her before a scheduled meeting with Republican women.
- Ross narrowly defeated Secker by fewer than 36 votes in the primary, but the state GOP chairman has called on Ross to immediately drop out of the race due to the serious allegations.
- Neither Ross, his attorneys, nor Secker have commented publicly on the charges as investigations continue.
