Underdog Newport mayoral candidate Sam Gassert, his campaign funds drained, used about $60 of his money to finance lunch Tuesday at Saratoga Place senior apartments.

But when he showed up to prepare, incumbent commissioners Jan Knepshield and Robbie Hall already were there serving pizzas.

Gassert said he was so steamed, he left, later returning to speak with voters. Gassert's friends wondered who paid for Knepshield's five pizzas - three with pepperoni. The answer: Nobody - yet.

The charge would have been $46.95 for the large pies Knepshield ordered from the Southgate Papa John's Pizza, according to the receipt. He was charged: "$0.00."

"We're the official pizza company of the city of Newport," said owner Kevin Ellis.

"We are the pizza guys, and we do all their festivals and different things like that," Ellis said. "So if they need a couple of pizzas here and there, we just donate them."

The pizzas won't be free, Knepshield said, when told Gassert and commission challenger John C. Hayden questioned the price. His campaign planned to pay while getting more today, he said.

"He will get paid for them in one lump sum," Knepshield said. He said he never told Ellis it was a city event.

E-mail mrutledge@enquirer.com