Who's running in Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district
2 candidates are on the ballot. Below is what each one says they stand for, what they have actually done in office or in public life, and the arguments published for and against them — each quoted from a named source rather than summarised by us.
2 candidates · ballot order · Seth Magaziner currently holds this seat
Medium confidenceMedium confidenceThe candidate's stated positions and basic record are documented, but coverage is thin — often little independent reporting, or criticism from only one side.What would raise it: More independent reporting, a documented voting record, or published criticism from a named opponent would raise this.
What they say they stand for
Their own words. Claims, not verified facts.
Holding January 6 participants accountable: 'No one who tried to attack our democracy on January 6th deserves to represent Rhode Island in Congress.'
Opposing representation by 'a registered agent of a foreign dictatorship.'
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
US Representative for Rhode Island's 2nd District since January 2023; re-elected with 58.2% in 2024.
Rhode Island general treasurer 2015–2023.
Unopposed in the September 9, 2026 Democratic primary.
Endorsed by the International Brotherhood of Police Officers, per WJAR and the Boston Globe.
Arguments in favor
'The officers who defended the Capitol that day are heroes, and the rioters who attacked police and attacked our democracy are villains. Vic Mellor is one of those villains' — Magaziner is the candidate who stood with the officers.
— Rep. Seth Magaziner, joined by DC police officer Daniel Hodges and former Capitol Police officer Harry Dunn (WJAR, Boston Globe)
The International Brotherhood of Police Officers has endorsed Magaziner.
— International Brotherhood of Police Officers, per WJAR
Arguments against
Trillions in foreign investment are coming into the country and none of it is reaching Rhode Island because nobody in the state's congressional delegation is on speaking terms with the Trump administration; Mellor says he would bring it home — 'Rhode Island First.'
— Victor Mellor campaign, as summarised in a Boston Globe opinion column
'The Democrats in this state always have somebody else to blame. Every year, they raise the budget, they collect more taxes from Rhode Islanders, and give nothing back in return. It's this downward spiral that needs to end.'
— Victor Mellor, Republican opponent (Ocean State Media)
What we couldn’t verify
Magaziner's own 2026 policy platform beyond his criticism of Mellor was not found in a loaded source.
No NRCC material on Magaziner was found; the seat is not on a loaded Republican target list.
Debate plans had not been reported in a loaded source.
Bringing jobs and federal and foreign investment to Rhode Island through ties to the Trump administration.
Positioning Rhode Island businesses for trade 'when business opens up in Cuba.'
Electing more Republicans to end what he calls a Democratic 'downward spiral' of higher budgets and taxes.
Supporting President Trump 'in a majority of the things he does.'
He maintains the 2020 election was stolen.
What they’ve actually done
Documented record from official sources.
Has not held elected office.
Won the September 9, 2026 Republican primary over party-endorsed Dr. Stephen Skoly, 58% to 42%; had more than $3 million in his campaign account.
Registered under the Foreign Agents Registration Act in June 2026 for work with Cuba's Ministry of Foreign Affairs; says he took no money and will end the registration if elected, as federal law requires.
Entered the Capitol on January 6, 2021; never charged.
Charged with assault in 1994 and domestic battery in 1998; both charges were dropped.
Endorsed by the Rhode Island State Fraternal Order of Police.
Arguments in favor
The Rhode Island State Fraternal Order of Police, the state's largest police union, has endorsed Mellor.
— Rhode Island State Fraternal Order of Police, per WJAR and the Boston Globe
'I understand D.C. I've been dealing with D.C. politics for the last five years, and I'm already involved in many aspects of healthcare and jobs'; he says he would be 'Rhode Island's best salesperson.'
— Victor Mellor (Ocean State Media)
Arguments against
Mellor is 'a registered agent of a foreign dictatorship' who 'should not represent Rhode Island in Congress', and he 'stormed the Capitol to try to rob Rhode Islanders of their votes.'
'Mellor was part of the crowd that punched me, kicked me, tried to gouge out my eye'; he has refused to apologise for being a 'J6er.'
— DC Metropolitan Police Officer Daniel Hodges (WJAR, Boston Globe)
His Cuba registration filings include a teaching document instructing a social media account on how to argue about Cuba with Americans, which conflicts with a 'Rhode Island First' campaign; the Cuban-American chamber he cited said it 'did not in any way endorse or urge' his trip.
— Boston Globe opinion column
Mellor would 'get destroyed in a general election' if nominated.
— Dr. Stephen Skoly, Republican primary opponent (via MS NOW column)
What we couldn’t verify
Mellor denies being near any violence on January 6 and calls the charge that he condones violence 'an outright lie'; no loaded source placed him in a violent act.
A June 2026 federal filing listed a Florida home address; his campaign called it a clerical error and a September 4 filing lists Warwick.
President Trump had not endorsed him as of the primary.
Positions and criticism are quoted from the named sources, not our assessments. This is built to help you start getting informed — confirm the official candidate list with your election authority before you vote.
November 3, 2026 is Rhode Island's general election, decided by plurality; there is no runoff. The map did not change for 2026: the two districts drawn after the 2020 census remain in use, and no redraw or pending congressional map case was found. Rhode Island's late primary was held September 9, 2026. Democratic Rep. Seth Magaziner was unopposed; Victor Mellor beat the state party-endorsed Dr. Stephen Skoly 58% to 42% for the Republican nomination, per the Boston Globe and Ocean State Media. Wikipedia, Politics1 and Ballotpedia list no certified independent or minor-party candidate; Armando Anzoli has been listed as a write-in candidate, and write-ins are not included here. The Secretary of State's certified list was not loaded. The district covers western and southern Rhode Island, including Cranston, Warwick, Coventry, part of Providence and Washington County. Magaziner won 58.2% in 2024. Candidates are listed with the incumbent first; that is not verified ballot order and implies no ranking.
This is one contest on a longer ballot
A Rhode Island ballot also carries state legislative districts, county offices, judicial seats and often local questions — and which of them you vote on is decided by your street address, not your city or ZIP code.
Your ballot is determined by your election authority, not by us. Verify your registration, precinct, and sample ballot at Rhode Island Department of State.