Project 2025 author Paul Dans drops primary challenge to Lindsey Graham in South Carolina
Source: AP
Updated 1:35 PM EDT, April 13, 2026
COLUMBIA, S.C. (AP) — Paul Dans, a chief architect of Project 2025, has shuttered his Republican primary challenge to Sen. Lindsey Graham in South Carolina, in a contest set to test the loyalties of President Donald Trump and his MAGA movement in this year’s midterm election. Dans pulled out Friday, the last day to remove his name from ballots before the state’s primary on June 9.
Trump — who long ago endorsed Graham, among his top congressional allies — reacted to the announcement with a social media post suggesting that Tucker Carlson’s endorsement of Dans had been the “KISS OF DEATH” for his campaign. Trump and Carlson have been feuding over the Iran war, which the former Fox News star called “absolutely disgusting and evil.” Dans denied his decision to withdraw had anything to do with Carlson.
Dans said he was endorsing another Republican in the contest, appliance business owner Mark Lynch. In another social media post, Trump said Lynch “would be a DISASTER for the Republican Party” if elected.
Dans rose to prominence as one of the people behind Project 2025, which was a blueprint for conservative governance if Trump won his comeback campaign. He said he was pleased with some of Trump’s progress after taking office — including federal workforce reductions and cuts to federal programs — but there was “more work to do” in the Senate.
Read more: https://apnews.com/article/lindsey-graham-paul-dans-donald-trump-1501c670c5f7bee9dc9147ee0aec362a
Just breaking. Short article at post time.
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