Winning local elections was now a priority for them. Their solution to the problem was to start a hidden lab on compound grounds with the purpose of developing biological weapons. The plan was to poison as many residents of the county as possible with Salmonella planted in multiple restaurants and buffets using hidden spray canisters. They hoped that so many people would have to stay home from sickness that the elections could be manipulated in favor of the cult. The scheme failed, but over 751 people suffered from food poisoning that week in 1984. Everything was justified as a means to an end.