Thomas Ross drops out of race

Thomas Ross has signed paperwork asking a court to remove his name from the November ballot for Missouri House District 161, the Jasper County Republican Central Committee announced Friday.

The withdrawal is not yet final. The committee said the request must be processed through a court hearing before Ross can be removed from the ballot.

Jasper County Clerk Charlie Davis told Newstalk KZRG that the paperwork requires a circuit judge’s signature before it can be forwarded to the Missouri Secretary of State.

The Republican Party can then begin the formal process of selecting a replacement nominee.

“We appreciate Thomas making the difficult decision to step away from the campaign and focus on his family and the circumstances he is currently facing,” committee Chair Lynn Ragsdale said. “Our thoughts remain with his family, and we respect his decision.”

The committee said it will release additional information as the replacement process moves forward.

Ross’ decision follows his arrest Wednesday on a federal warrant. He is charged in a one-count federal criminal complaint with conspiracy to distribute a controlled substance.

According to the complaint, Ross’ former campaign manager, identified as C.S., told investigators that Ross asked him to plant cocaine and prescription amphetamine in the purse or vehicle of Republican primary opponent Louise Curchin Secker.

The former manager provided investigators with a black glove containing a small bag of white powder and a capsule, according to federal prosecutors. Authorities said testing indicated the substances were cocaine and Adderall.

Joplin police contacted the FBI on July 30 regarding what authorities described as a possible public corruption matter. Court records do not indicate that any drugs were planted on Secker.

Ross narrowly defeated Secker in the Aug. 4 Republican primary by just 31 votes.

Ross is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.