Dr. Stephen “Doc” Skoly has stepped down as chairman of the board of the Rhode Island Center for Freedom & Prosperity to pursue a run for the U.S. House of Representatives in Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District, the organization announced.

“Americans at every turn must have the freedom to make their own personal, medical, educational, and economic choices,” commented Skoly. “This is what our Center stands for, because when there is more freedom, there is more prosperity.”

In a letter to the board, Skoly praised the Center for raising awareness of what he described as key issues, including the state’s energy policies, affordability initiatives, medical freedom and parental rights in education. He wrote that the organization’s work would provide a foundation for his congressional campaign.

Skoly became a prominent figure in Rhode Island’s medical freedom movement in 2021 after opposing the state’s COVID-19 vaccine mandate for health care workers. He cited natural immunity and medical concerns related to Bell’s palsy, and declined vaccination on the advice of his physician.

As a result, Skoly’s surgical practice was closed for six months by the Rhode Island Department of Health. He later filed a lawsuit challenging the vaccine mandate, which was dismissed by the U.S. District Court in Rhode Island and the 1st U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals before reaching trial.

Rhode Island’s 2nd Congressional District covers a broad cross section of the state, including urban, suburban and rural communities. The district includes all five municipalities in Kent County, seven municipalities in Providence County, and all nine municipalities in Washington County. The mix of communities gives the district a wide range of economic, geographic and political interests.

Skoly will remain a member of the Center’s board of directors. The board is scheduled to meet later this month to consider the election of a new chairman.