A Missouri statehouse candidate, Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, is facing serious allegations that he tried to plant cocaine and Adderall on his political rival during the Republican primary. According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office for Missouri’s Western District, Ross was recently charged with one count of conspiring to distribute a controlled substance. The accusations stem from a report by his former campaign manager, who contacted authorities and provided evidence, including a black nylon glove containing the drugs. The incident allegedly took place during the primary race for Missouri House of Representative District 161. Ross narrowly won the Republican primary by less than 30 votes, securing the GOP nomination for the district. However, the allegations have sparked significant controversy within the party. Missouri’s GOP chairman called the accusations "serious and deeply troubling" and urged Ross to drop out of the race immediately. Neither Ross nor his legal representatives have responded to requests for comment, and Secker, the political rival who was the target of the alleged scheme, has also not commented publicly. According to a probable cause affidavit, Ross’s former campaign manager provided the glove to local police in June, which contained the drugs. The Joplin Police Department later involved the FBI, and the campaign manager informed federal authorities that Ross had planned to have the drugs planted in Secker’s car or purse while he was on vacation in South Carolina. The affidavit includes text messages between Ross and the campaign manager, in which Ross allegedly discussed the plan. In messages sent while he was in Myrtle Beach, Ross referenced "the substance of the matter," which officials believe was a coded reference to the drug-planting scheme. In one message, Ross allegedly said he wanted the plan to happen before a Thursday meeting where Secker was scheduled to meet with Republican women at a local restaurant. He expressed concern that if the plan failed, it would "put extreme egg on the face" of his rival. During a secretly recorded conversation with the campaign manager, Ross allegedly suggested making an anonymous tip to authorities, claiming Secker had drugs in her car. He reportedly told the campaign manager, "If you can pull it off, pull it off." The case is now under federal investigation, and the outcome could significantly impact the upcoming election.