A Missouri political candidate has withdrawn from his legislative race after federal prosecutors accused him of plotting to frame his primary opponent with planted narcotics, prosecutors said.
Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, ended his campaign for Missouri House District 161 following the federal conspiracy charge.
Prior to withdrawing, Ross had already won the Republican primary race against opponent Louise Secker, records show.
On Aug. 4, Ross defeated Secker by just 33 votes in that contest. The final tally stood at 1,589 to 1,556.
Federal prosecutors allege the Republican contender plotted before Election Day to plant cocaine and Adderall on Secker.
The scheme allegedly involved stashing the illegal substances inside Secker’s vehicle or purse so authorities would discover them, according to prosecutors.
Ross discussed the scheme directly with his own campaign manager, prosecutors said.
Instead of carrying out the frame-up, the campaign manager went directly to police. The manager then handed over a glove containing cocaine and an Adderall capsule, investigators said.
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Investigators said the manager later agreed to wear a hidden FBI microphone during an in-person meeting with Ross.
During that recorded conversation, the manager suggested calling authorities with a false tip that drugs had been located in Secker’s vehicle, according to prosecutors. Ross was recorded responding: “If you can pull it off … pull it off.”
On Sept. 2, federal prosecutors charged Ross with conspiracy.
Two days later, the candidate filed paperwork to withdraw from the November election, according to records.
Following his sudden exit, local Republicans met to select a replacement nominee to carry the party banner.
Party officials voted unanimously to give the vacant nomination to Secker, the opponent Ross allegedly plotted to frame.
Secker now takes the District 161 spot on the ballot that Ross originally won by 33 votes.
Ross faces the federal conspiracy charge and remains presumed innocent unless proven guilty, court filings note.
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