Congressman Jim Langevin is a Democrat, but some people wanted to talk about Republican politics at what he billed as a “town meeting” but was more of a pizza party Saturday at Nino’s in Cranston.

Some of the more than 50 people who attended wanted to know what Langevin thought of GOP presidential candidate Donald Trump. Others, like Jim Riley, wanted all those he could corner to know that he’s a Trump supporter.

A Trump supporter at a Langevin affair?

“I want him to become the nominee,” Riley said. “Because even Mickey Mouse could beat him.”

Riley’s comment was good for laughs, but that is not the way Langevin sees it.

“It’s [Trump’s rhetoric] appealing to the worst instincts in people,” Langevin said between making rounds to tables where he invited people to get into one-on-one discussions about their concerns. He said Trump’s tactics follow those of some of history’s “worst bad actors” who played off of people’s fears and tore other people down.

“What a fiasco the Republican primary has been,” he said. “It has brought politics to a new low.”

He said former presidential candidate Mitt Romney’s attack on Trump shocked him. Asked whether he has talked with Republican colleagues in the House, Langevin said they say “it will be very difficult to unite the party after the primary.”

Sandy Cooper of West Warwick, who learned of the event from an email, wasn’t so concerned about partisan politics but what’s happening in Washington.

“The games they play, it’s about winning and not doing what’s right,” she said.

So, what would she be asking the congressman?

“Who’s going to be the first one to quit playing games?” she said.

Cooper also wanted to learn more about what she said are efforts of the companies like Monsanto to exempt food labels from listing whether they contain genetically modified organisms, or GMOs.

“I want to know what’s in my food,” she said.

Langevin said the influence of big business is a complaint he heard while making the rounds in the pizza parlor. His answer is for voters to support candidates who favor campaign finance regulations.

Terry Bontrager of Providence was anxious to hear what Langevin had to say about the environment and what could be done to spur greater use of renewal energy sources. Langevin talked about tax credits for renewables and called Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse the “conscience of the Senate” on renewables and climate change. Langevin said he doesn’t see the need for tax credits for the oil and gas industries.

Louis Verdelotti wanted to know what Langevin could do to stop Gov. Gina Raimondo from hiring out-of-state residents to fill directorships.

“I don’t like her, she’s hiring all these people,” he protested, calling Raimondo “Raimondi.”

Langevin pointed out that he’s not involved in the hiring of state personnel. Verdelotti wasn’t finished. As Langevin moved on to talk at another table, Verdelotti complained about state roads, saying, “Nothing is being done and now the governor is asking for more [money].”

Langevin fielded complaints about insurance, too. He said the complaint was that premiums were increased following an accident in which the policyholder was not at fault. Langevin said the incident “speaks to the monopoly of insurance companies.” He said he would look for “increased transparency on how they operate.”

Reached Monday, Cooper said she was “favorably impressed” by Langevin.

“He listens to people; he doesn’t try talking over you,” she said.

On the question of food labeling, Cooper said Langevin told her that he voted against the so-called DARK (Deny Americans the Right to Know Act). As for voting for legislation because it’s the right thing, not because it’s partisan, she said she was impressed that Langevin seeks Republican co-sponsors when he introduces legislation.

“If more members would cooperate, the leadership would get the message,” she said.

The pizzeria town meeting and the pizza lasted about two hours.