Regional Industry & News

Joplin, Mo. (KOAM) — The clock is ticking for local Republicans to replace Thomas Ross as their nominee for Missouri House District 161.

The Jasper County Republican Central Committee announced Friday that Ross has agreed to withdraw from the November general election following his arrest on a federal charge.

Ross has signed paperwork asking a judge to approve his withdrawal from the ballot. Lynn Ragsdale, chair of the Jasper County Republican Central Committee, said party members visited Ross at the facility where he is being held before the decision was announced.

“We set out on a journey which led us to find him and where he was being held,” Ragsdale told KOAM. “As we went to see him, visit him and find out what he thought, he agreed with us that that was the right thing to do.”

Ragsdale said Ross told the group he needed to withdraw so he and his family could move forward while he handles his legal case.

“I need to do this so that my family and myself can move on to do what I need to do legally,” Ross said, according to Ragsdale. “And also, I want what’s best for the citizens of the 161st.”

Ross is being held without bond after being charged in a federal criminal complaint with conspiring to distribute a controlled substance.

Federal investigators allege Ross asked his former campaign manager to plant cocaine and Adderall in a political opponent’s purse or vehicle. The complaint contains accusations, and Ross is presumed innocent unless proven guilty.

Ragsdale said Ross is struggling with the uncertainty surrounding the case.

“He is how you would expect. He is not doing well,” Ragsdale said. “That is not a place you’d like to spend your time, and he doesn’t know what comes next. A lot of uncertainty.”

Jasper County Presiding Circuit Judge Dean G. Dankelson has approved Ross’ request to withdraw his name from the November ballot.

The Republican Party is now waiting for the Missouri secretary of state’s office to notify the House District 161 committee.

Once that notice is received, the committee can meet to select a new nominee, who must complete the required filing process in Jefferson City. Ragsdale said party officials are working to complete the remaining steps by 5 p.m. Tuesday.

Ragsdale said the local Republican Party has several people who could step into the race.

“To say that the Republican Party was a one-trick pony, perhaps it would not be true at all,” Ragsdale said. “There’s a very deep bench. There’s lots of people that serve all the time that could step into that role and do a fine job.”

The committee has not announced when it will meet or who is being considered as a possible replacement.

Ross defeated Louise Secker by 32 votes in the Republican primary. The replacement nominee would face Democratic nominee Aaron Metzger in November.

Missouri Republican Party Chairman Peter Kinder called on Ross to withdraw following his arrest, describing the circumstances as “serious and deeply troubling.”

The FBI is investigating the case. Assistant U.S. Attorney Jessica R. Eatmon is prosecuting it.