Latino Public Radio Features Vic Mellor and Seth Magaziner
Two Candidates, Two Different Messages
Latino Public Radio interviewed both Vic Mellor and incumbent Congressman Seth Magaziner in November 2025. The separate interviews gave Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District one of its first direct looks at the 2026 race.
The coverage focused on immigration, health care, and the economy. The differences between the two candidates were clear.
Magaziner and Mellor on the Issues
Magaziner spent his interview talking about Donald Trump. Trump’s spending, Trump’s parties, Trump’s friends. When asked about rising health-care costs facing Rhode Islanders, his answer returned to criticism of the President.
Vic Mellor approached the discussion differently. On immigration, he focused on public safety and families.
“There’s nothing more that a mom or dad wants for their kids other than safe streets. I don’t care what your nationality is, white, black, Latino. You want your streets safe for your kids.”
Mellor also addressed Rhode Island’s economy and business climate.
“The attitudes towards jobs here sucks, alright, it’s the worst in the country – How are you gonna stand up there and talk about how we’re gonna bring jobs to Rhode Island, yet you’re going to make it hard for the job creators. To me, the government just needs to get out of the way and just let the private industry rip”
These comments are not rehearsed talking points, but simply a man saying out loud what a lot of Rhode Islanders have been thinking for years and have yet to hear from anyone running for office.
Competing Records and Approaches
Magaziner has served two terms in Congress. Meanwhile, many Rhode Islanders continue facing rising grocery costs, increasing insurance premiums, and broader cost-of-living pressures. Magaziner’s solution is to point fingers. Mellor, by contrast, is here to say what he means, speak the unapologetic truth, and build solutions.
Over the past 30 years, Mellor has built 17 businesses. He also funded The Hollow with his own money. In addition, he is prepared to self-fund much of his campaign. In a state where the political class has been running the same plays for decades, financial independence is that much more important because he doesn’t owe anyone anything.
Rhode Island’s 2nd District deserves a representative who listens closely and fights for local concerns. Mellor’s campaign centers on direct communication, economic growth, and independence from political insiders.
