South Carolina Shake-Up: Paul Dans to Battle Lindsey Graham for GOP Nomination – Paul Dans, known as the lead architect behind the conservative initiative Project 2025, is preparing to launch a Republican primary campaign aimed at unseating Senator Lindsey Graham in South Carolina.
Dans is expected to formally announce his candidacy on Wednesday during an event in Charleston. While Senator Graham has long been a supporter of Donald Trump, he has faced increasing criticism from hardline MAGA Republicans. The race is already drawing attention, with former South Carolina Lieutenant Governor Andre Bauer also in the mix.
Dans gained national attention in 2023 for heading Project 2025, a right-wing policy framework and transition plan that aimed to prepare a future conservative administration to govern effectively from day one.
The project proposed sweeping reforms, including restructuring the federal workforce, creating a database of MAGA-aligned personnel, and laying out bold conservative policy objectives.
Though Trump later distanced himself from the initiative, and Dans was subsequently pushed out of his role at the Heritage Foundation the think tank behind the plan many of the policies outlined in Project 2025 have been embraced by Trump allies. Several individuals involved in the project have even taken roles within the former president’s political orbit.
Dans’s entry into the primary sets the stage for a contentious Republican battle in South Carolina, pitting establishment loyalty against the evolving priorities of the MAGA base.
