Missouri Candidate Charged In Drug Plot
A Missouri GOP House candidate is accused of plotting to plant drugs on a primary rival.
September 3, 2026 · Updated Sep 3, 8:15pm ET
MEDIAiteRepublican Candidate Charged in Wild Plot to Plant Cocaine on Primary Rival
CBS NewsGOP candidate for Missouri House charged with conspiring to plant cocaine on opponent
FOX NewsGOP candidate gets busted allegedly trying to plant drugs on his political rival
The New York TimesCandidate Accused of Plotting to Plant Drugs on His Opponent
Associated PressMissouri candidate charged with trying to plant cocaine on his political rival
Miami HeraldFBI says Missouri House candidate tried planting cocaine and Adderall on opponent
NBC NewsMissouri candidate wanted campaign manager to plant cocaine in opponent’s car, authorities say
Raw StoryGOP scrambling after feds bust candidate for drug-planting plot
Political WireGOP Candidate Charged with Planting Cocaine On Rival
Joe.My.God.GOP Candidate Tried To Plant Coke On GOP Opponent
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What happened
Thomas Ross, 37, the Republican nominee for a Joplin-area Missouri House seat, was charged with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance over an alleged plot to plant cocaine and Adderall on primary opponent Louise Secker. Prosecutors say Ross told his former campaign manager to put the drugs in Secker’s car, but the manager contacted authorities. Ross won the Aug. 4 Republican primary by 33 votes. Missouri GOP chair Peter Kinder
Peter KinderAmerican lawyer and politician called on Ross to withdraw so the party can replace him on the ballot.
