The Republican primary for Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District remains tightly contested between Victor Mellor and Stephen Skoly ahead of the September 9 vote, with early voting underway and a September 4 televised debate scheduled. Skoly secured the state GOP endorsement in June after Mellor opted not to seek it, giving him ballot placement advantages, while Mellor holds a substantial fundraising edge exceeding $2.8 million, largely self-funded. A mid-August poll of likely Republican primary voters showed Skoly leading 29% to 22% with nearly half undecided. Mellor’s background as a Marine veteran and business owner contrasts with Skoly’s profile as an oral surgeon known for past COVID mandate opposition. High undecided shares and limited prior head-to-head exposure keep the race fluid.