The Winner

If you live in Rhode Island's 2nd U.S. House District, you will continue to be represented in Congress by Rep. Seth Magaziner (D-RI), who has been declared the winner of the congressional race, according to the Associated Press. The Associated Press called the race on Nov. 3. ​

According to unofficial results from the Rhode Island Board of Elections as of Nov. 4, Magaziner received 119,134 votes, or 61.73%, defeating Republican Victor Mellor, who received 73,353 votes, or 38.01%. Another 506 votes, or 0.26%, were cast for write-in candidates. Magaziner led Mellor by 45,781 votes, or approximately 23.7 percentage points. All 22 cities and towns in the district had reported, although the results remained preliminary pending certification.

Magaziner's victory secures his third term in Congress and keeps Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District in Democratic hands as his party regains control of the U.S. House of Representatives. The Democratic takeover will put Magaziner in the House majority for the first time since he entered Congress in January 2023, giving his party control over committee leadership, the legislative agenda and congressional oversight of President Donald Trump's administration.

The Race

Victor Mellor, the Republican opponent, advanced from the Sept. 9 primary with 58.07% of the vote in a two-candidate contest. Mellor received 8,837 votes, defeating Stephen Skoly, who received 6,380 votes, or 41.93%, according to official results from the Rhode Island Board of Elections. Magaziner faced no opposition in the Democratic primary. Cook Political Report rated the race Solid Democratic heading into Election Day. Sabato's Crystal Ball and Inside Elections also rated it Solid Democratic.

Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District has approximately 555,300 residents, according to geographic data for the district. The district's median household income is about $93,600, the median age is approximately 41, and roughly 37% of adults hold a bachelor's degree or higher. About 75% of residents identify as white, 15% as Hispanic, 4% as Black, and 3% as Asian. The unemployment rate is approximately 5.6%, and about 10% of residents live below the poverty line.

What's Next

Magaziner's third term begins Jan. 3, 2027. He said the incoming Democratic House majority should move quickly to address voters' concerns about the economy and the Trump administration, including reversing tariffs and restoring enhanced Affordable Care Act tax credits, according to Rhode Island Current, which reported his remarks on Nov. 4.

Magaziner also identified banning members of Congress and the president from trading stocks as a potential area of bipartisan agreement. He said the proposal could attract enough support to overcome a presidential veto.

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