The Republican primary for Rhode Island's 2nd congressional district pits Stephen Skoly, an oral surgeon who secured the state GOP endorsement at the June convention, against Victor Mellor, a Marine veteran and businessman who has self-loaned millions to his campaign. With the September 9 primary less than three weeks away, trader prices remain tightly contested, reflecting uncertainty over whether institutional party backing or Mellor's spending edge and external support will prevail among a limited Republican electorate. No public polls have emerged to clarify voter preferences, leaving the outcome sensitive to final-week turnout efforts and any late endorsements or campaign developments that could shift momentum.