A New Jersey mayor lost reelection just weeks after he brazenly charged at a resident during a town meeting.
Pemberton Township Republican Mayor Matthew Bianchini, 59, conceded to Democratic challenger Belinda Fontanez on Wednesday.
The loss comes nearly three weeks after Bianchini had to be physically restrained on October 21 after charging at a resident and telling him: ‘I am f****** getting you.’
Fontanez secured the win with nearly 60 percent of the vote, while the incumbent raked in less than 30 percent.
‘To my family, my campaign team, and every resident who put their faith in me and stood by my side—thank you from the bottom of my heart,’ Bianchini wrote early Thursday morning.
‘The voters of Pemberton Township have spoken, and the results are clear. I offer Belinda Fontanez my sincere congratulations on her victory.’
‘As she prepares to take on the responsibility of leading our community, she has my full support for a smooth transition. I care deeply about the future of this township, and its success matters far more than any single election.’
Bianchini replaced former Mayor Jack Tompkins, who resigned in December 2025 following multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, according to NJ.com.
Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini, 59, lost reelection just weeks after he brazenly charged at a resident during a town meeting on October 18
Bianchini conceded to Democratic challenger Belinda Fontanez on Wednesday
Fontanez, a former township employee, was among the workers who sued over Tompkins’ alleged behavior.
During the October 21 confrontation, Bianchini was captured on video leaving his seat, pointing his finger at resident Michael Sawka and charging across the room toward the public gallery.
As the Bianchini approached Sawka, a man in a blue checked suit stepped between them and shouted ‘stop’ at Bianchini.
Another man gets involved, and the two pin Bianchini against a wall, where he raises his hands.
‘You should resign,’ Sawka says, prompting Bianchini to try to lunge at him again as three men hold him back.
He was then led away by one man in a bear hug as he shouted at Sawka: ‘I am getting you, I am f****** getting you.’
‘He just threatened me; that’s on video. I want the police to arrest him; that is assault,’ Sawka said.
Fontanez secured the win with nearly 60 percent of the vote, while the incumbent raked in less than 30 percent.
Another angle captured by the township’s own livestream showed Bianchini and Sawka trading words across the room as others spoke.
Just seconds before he jumped out of his seat, Sawka was seen giving him the middle finger.
Bianchini told WPVI he has a fraught relationship with Sawka and that he ‘snapped.’
‘I just basically snapped,’ Bianchini said. ‘I hate to put it this way, but it’s a long time coming.’
According to Bianchini, Sawka and another resident were making rude comments to his wife and daughter, who were sitting in the back of the room during the meeting.
‘Was it wrong? Absolutely. Was it justified? Absolutely. And I would do it again if I had to,’ Bianchini said.
‘Don’t attack my family. I think any good husband, any good father, would’ve done just what I did.’
Bianchini later apologized for his threats, saying: ‘I should not have said that. That was wrong. It was in the heat of the moment. I’m not gonna get anybody.’
Sawka denied saying anything to Bianchini’s family and told the local news station he remained calm throughout the confrontation.
Multiple angles captured Bianchini as he charged Michael Sawka. he alleged that Sawka made rude comments to his family, which he denied
‘I’m just sitting there. I never got up. I sat there the whole time. I was calm the whole time,’ he said.
Sawka said he wanted Bianchini to step down from office and face charges over his actions.
‘I would like to see Mr Bianchini resign as soon as possible and sign something that he will never be involved in any politics again,’ he said.
