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Missouri Republican candidate allegedly tried to plant drugs on primary opponent: Investigators
ABC News - Breaking News, Latest News and Videos • • nation
Key Points:
- Thomas Christopher Ross, a Republican candidate who won the primary for Missouri House District 161, was federally charged with conspiring to distribute controlled substances after allegedly attempting to plant cocaine and Adderall in his primary opponent Louise Secker's car.
- Ross's campaign manager reported the plot to police, providing actual drugs and text messages documenting the scheme, which dated back to May, leading to an FBI investigation with covert recordings confirming Ross's involvement.
- Ross narrowly defeated Secker by 33 votes in the primary and was set to face Democrat Aaron Metzger in the general election, but Missouri GOP Chairman Peter Kinder called on Ross to drop out following the charges.
- Ross is currently held in jail without having entered a plea, with a preliminary hearing scheduled for September 9, while both his public defender and campaign have not commented on the allegations.
- Democratic candidate Aaron Metzger expressed disappointment over the incident, citing it as an example of the negative behavior he aims to change in politics.
