Magaziner Leads Mellor in Rhode Island House Race
Early returns show the incumbent Democrat holding a wide lead over Republican challenger Vic Mellor in the 2nd Congressional District.
Updated on Nov. 4, 2026 in Elections
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With 17% of precincts reporting, Democratic U.S. Representative Seth Magaziner led Republican Vic Mellor 63.4% to 36.3% in Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District. The race is being watched as Democrats seek to take control of the U.S. House in the 2026 midterm election.
Why it matters
A win would give Magaziner, a two-term Democrat, more influence if his party gains the House majority. The result also tests whether voters in Rhode Island will reject Mellor's far-right record.
With 17% of precincts reporting, Magaziner held 63.4% of the vote to Mellor's 36.3%. Final totals remain pending as the remaining precincts are counted.
The players
Seth Magaziner
Magaziner is a two-term Democratic U.S. Representative for Rhode Island's 2nd Congressional District, seeking to hold his seat in the race.
Vic Mellor
Mellor is a Republican challenger and Woonsocket native who previously registered as a foreign agent for Cuba's communist government.
The details
Magaziner, who has represented the district for two terms, argued that Mellor was trying to buy the seat after spending three decades living in Florida. Mellor, a Woonsocket native, rented a home in Warwick to run and poured millions into his campaign. Magaziner also held a campaign event with police officers who defended the Capitol on January 6, a contrast with Mellor, who marched to the Capitol that day with pro-Trump protestors.
Timeline
January 6, 2021: Mellor marched to the U.S. Capitol with pro-Trump protestors.
2022: Magaziner defeated former Cranston Mayor Allan Fung, and the national GOP unsuccessfully tried to flip the district.
November 3, 2026: Early results showed Magaziner leading Mellor.
Season Trajectory
This race follows the 2022 contest in which Magaziner beat Allan Fung and the GOP failed to flip the seat. Its outcome will shape Democrats' prospects in the 2026 midterm contest for control of the U.S. House.
Rhode Island voters in the 2nd District are choosing between Magaziner and Mellor, and the final result will determine who represents them in Congress. Residents can check full results through the state's official election reporting once counting is complete.
The takeaway
The margin in this district will signal whether Rhode Island voters reject Mellor's record as Democrats work to hold their House seats. Readers following the midterms should watch how the final count compares with early returns.
What happens next
Final vote counts will be released as the remaining precincts report, and the outcome will determine the 2nd District's representation in the 2026 midterm election.
Further reading
For more on the state's contests, see Elections coverage for Rhode Island.
More information
View the full Rhode Island election results as precincts continue to report.
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