Stephen Skoly leads trader pricing in the Rhode Island 2nd Congressional District Republican primary due to his June endorsement by the state GOP nominating committee and convention delegates, which grants ballot position advantages and signals institutional support among local activists. Victor Mellor, who self-funded millions but withdrew from seeking the party nod after the committee recommendation, trails despite his fundraising edge and external backing. Recent polling shows both candidates with limited name recognition and high undecideds ahead of the September 9 vote, while a late debate and campaign attacks on service records have not shifted the consensus reflected in market prices. The outcome hinges on primary turnout among the small Republican electorate.