Candidate Accused of Drug Planting in Race | Kansas City News

A Missouri House candidate, Thomas Ross, is facing federal charges after allegedly plotting to sabotage his primary opponent, Louise Secker, by planting cocaine and Adderall on her in the weeks before their razor-close August 4 election. Court docs reveal Ross instructed a campaign staffer to stage the setup — which included handing him a bag of white powder and a pill — both later confirmed as drugs. The staffer now cooperates with authorities, and FBI texts show Ross hoped the scheme would humiliate Secker at a key Republican women’s event. The Missouri GOP chair has demanded Ross step down, while prosecutors stress the need for election integrity. Ross faces conspiracy charges — and this scandal could reshape how campaigns are run. Listen in comfort:Get a discount on a Soli Pillow: http://solipillow.com/discount/dnn. Advertise on DNN:[email protected] This is an automated, high-level news summary based on public reporting.Report issues to [email protected]. View sources & latest updates:https://sources.thednn.ai/df87cae8cd371ebc