With just over a month remaining until Rhode Island’s primary elections, the Republican candidates for the second congressional district seat are trying to win over GOP voters. The seat is currently held by Democrat Rep. Seth Magaziner, who is serving his second term in Washington.
The GOP primary race features Woonsocket native Victor Mellor – a MAGA-style supporter of President Trump who made headlines for registering as a foreign agent for Cuba – and Stephen Skoly, a physician best known for fighting the state shutdown of his office after he refused the COVID-19 vaccine in 2021.
Both candidates sat down with Ocean State Media political reporter Ian Donnis to discuss their priorities for the state. Skoly stressed his ties to the local community.
Interview highlights
Edited for length and clarity
On why he’s the best candidate to represent Rhode Island’s Second Congressional District
Stephen Skoly: I have lived here for almost 40 years. I have been an integral part of the community. I'm a practicing oral and maxillofacial surgeon. I've worked at most of the hospitals located in the central part of Rhode Island… I also do a lot of consulting for a lot of the state agencies over the years, including the Department of Corrections, Eleanor Slater Hospital, Zamborano Hospital and even the Wyatt Center. I've also worked for the Medical Examiner's Office in forensic medicine. So I've been a part of this community for a long time. I live and grew up and raised my kids in East Greenwich.
On whether he supports President Trump
Skoly: I support a lot of his policies over the years: securing our borders; addressing the rule of law and supporting our Constitution; strengthening our military and our energy independence.
He has a different style than myself. And as your representative in Congress, I would always do what's in the best interest of the people that I represent. That's the people in Rhode Island.
On whether Joe Biden was lawfully elected president in 2020 (which has been confirmed in dozens of court cases)
Skoly: He was confirmed as the president in 2020, correct…If he wasn't (lawfully elected), then he wouldn't have been the president.
On how to gain more support than Republicans have seen in Rhode Island over the last two decades
Skoly: I understand and represent that big challenge. I will just have to work hard to have the people that I'm going to represent understand I don't need this job. I'm not running for Congress; I feel like we are running for Congress. In every situation, in every policy that I look at, my decision will be based on what's in the best interest of the people that I represent, the citizens of Rhode Island in the Second Congressional District.
