Paul Dans, who helped design Project 2025, a blueprint for conservative policies published by the Heritage Foundation, is primarying Sen. Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.

"What we've done with Project 2025 is really change the game in terms of closing the door on the progressive era," Dans said. "If you look at where the chokepoint is, it's the United States Senate. That's the headwaters of the swamp."

President Donald Trump has already endorsed Graham, who is running for a fifth term. Dans served in the White House during the first Trump administration.

Dans said he expects to have the support of Project 2025 supporters and Trump supporters.

"It's time to show him the door," Dans said of Graham, who has occasionally angered Trump supporters with his differences with the president.

Chris LaCivita dismissed Dans, telling Politico he parachuted himself into South Carolina after being "unceremoniously dumped in 2024 while trying to torpedo Donald Trump's historic campaign."

"Like everything Paul Dans starts, this too will end prematurely," LaCivita said.

Graham faces several other primary challengers, including former Lt. Gov. Andre Brauer and Mark Lynch, an appliance executive who has raised more than $5 million.

The Cook Political Report, a nonpartisan election handicapper, rates the race as Solid Republican.

- Information from the Associated Press was used in this report.