A Republican candidate running for a seat in the Missouri House of Representatives is facing federal drug charges after being accused of plotting to plant drugs on his primary opponent. Thomas Ross, 37, from Joplin, Missouri, has been charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. According to court documents, Ross allegedly instructed a campaign manager to place a small amount of cocaine and a prescription amphetamine pill on his rival, Louise Secker, in the weeks leading up to the August 4 primary. Despite this alleged scheme, Ross narrowly defeated Secker in the primary by just a few dozen votes. Ross and his legal team have not yet commented on the charges, which were filed earlier this week. The allegations were uncovered after a former campaign staffer contacted authorities about a "public corruption" issue. The individual reportedly provided investigators with a black nylon glove containing a pink and white capsule, along with a small amount of white powder. Testing confirmed the items were cocaine and Adderall, a stimulant commonly used to treat attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). According to an FBI probable cause statement, Ross sent text messages to the campaign manager about "the substance" and expressed hope that the plan would succeed before Secker attended a Republican women’s gathering in Joplin. Ross allegedly described the situation as an opportunity to cause his opponent "extreme egg on the face." The former campaign manager, who was not named in court documents, reportedly told authorities that Ross had given him the glove and instructed him to place the drugs in Secker’s purse or vehicle while Ross was on vacation. During a meeting with Ross in July, the manager suggested making an anonymous tip about Secker’s alleged drug possession. Ross allegedly responded, "If you can pull it off ... pull it off." The FBI reportedly provided the campaign manager with a recording device during the meeting, which may have captured evidence of the conversation. U.S. Attorney R. Matthew Price emphasized the importance of integrity in elections, stating that candidates are expected to campaign with honesty and respect for their opponents. Price said his office will continue to ensure fairness and transparency in elections and will pursue cases involving violations of public trust. Missouri's Republican Party chairman, Peter Kinder, called the situation "serious and deeply troubling" and urged Ross to withdraw from the race. The case highlights the potential for criminal behavior in political campaigns and raises concerns about the trust voters place in democratic processes.