New details have emerged in the case of Missouri Republican state House candidate Thomas Christopher Ross, 37, who made his first federal court appearance charged with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance. Newly unsealed court documents show the alleged plot to plant cocaine and an Adderall pill on his primary rival, Louise Secker, dates back to at least 31 May, weeks earlier than previously known, and that Ross has until 8 September to withdraw voluntarily from the November ballot before facing his Democratic opponent, Aaron Metzger.

The unsealed FBI affidavit details how Ross's former campaign manager, having already alerted Joplin police, wore a wire on 31 July to record Ross confirming he still wanted the drugs planted, with text messages showing Ross describing the scheme as something that "would be extreme egg on the face" for Secker. U.S. Attorney Matthew Price said in a Justice Department statement that "candidates are expected to conduct their campaigns with integrity, honesty, and respect for their opponents", while Missouri Republican Party chairman Peter Kinder has called the situation "serious and deeply troubling" and urged Ross to step aside. Ross narrowly beat Secker for the GOP nomination in Missouri's District 161 primary and has not responded to requests for comment.