Stephen Skoly holds the lead in the RI-02 Republican primary trader consensus due to his June 2026 endorsement by the state GOP at the party convention, where delegates backed him over Victor Mellor on a contested voice vote later confirmed 41-19. This institutional support provides ballot placement advantages ahead of the September 9 primary, with early voting already underway. Recent polling shows Skoly ahead of Mellor among likely voters, though nearly half remain undecided. Mellor has raised substantially more, largely through self-funding, and secured endorsements from groups including the Fraternal Order of Police. A televised debate between the candidates is scheduled for September 4, offering a final catalyst before voters decide.