A Republican mayor in New Jersey — yes, they do exist — admitted that he “snapped” during a recent town meeting, after getting into it with an attendee who he said made inappropriate comments about his wife and daughter.
Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini is feeling the heat after charging at the man, a vocal critic identified as Michael Sawka.
The incident was caught on video, and Bianchini can be seen charging at Sawka, who denies that he said anything about the mayor’s family. Others at the meeting intervened before the mayor reached Sawka.
“I am f*cking getting you!” Bianchini can be heard yelling at Sawka, who appears to have flipped the mayor the bird in response.
Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini, as seen in video shot by a reporter with the Pine Barrens Tribune, charged a vocal critic at last night’s council meeting in a moment that is already making significant waves as it is simply unprecedented in local and regional politics.
The mayor had to be held back by a former police chief who was the township’s director of Community Development that he had fired just two weeks ago, and was further restrained and removed from the room by an ex-cop who is now a councilman, but not before the mayor told the resident, “I am getting you – I am fu***** getting you!”
The resident then demanded the mayor’s immediate arrest (which did not appear to occur). Ultimately, all of those involved in the altercation were asked to leave the meeting. We will have coverage in this weekend’s paper of what led up to this and the reaction to the incident.
Viewer discretion is advised. Credit Ryan Elmore/Pine Barrens Tribune #NJ #News #Pines #BurlCo
— Pine Barrens Tribune (@PineBarrensNews) October 22, 2026
As for the allegation leveled by the mayor, the Pine Barrens Tribune reported that Sawka made a hand gesture towards a woman in the back of the room that “was interpreted by some as a hostile gesture, by others as a suggestion they should leave.”
“I should not have said that,” Bianchini told ABC affiliate WPVI. “That was wrong. It was in the heat of the moment. I’m not gonna get anybody.”
“Was it wrong? Absolutely. Was it justified? Absolutely,” he added. “And I would do it again if I had to.”
Sawka, who can be heard saying in the video that the mayor threatened him, countered by saying the mayor needs to step down and face charges.
“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.
Here’s a quick sampling of responses to the story:
A mayor charging at the people he works for should be gone by Monday. “I just snapped” isn’t an apology, it’s an admission.
— ThePatriot (@ThePatriotTea) October 23, 2026
The article says “The Pemberton Township Democratic Club responded to the confrontation by saying the township deserves leaders who can “stay composed and professional””.
Same can be said of residents that attend these meetings. The man in the striped shirt is an agitator.— lindaf3 (@lindaf35) October 23, 2026
If that’s true and the civilian brought the mayors wife and daughter into it! The civilian crossed a line , and they should have let the Mayor tune him up. I learned as a child that getting that azz tuned up solves a lot of issues.
— JasonM Sirois (@jasonm_sirois) October 23, 2026
What would the criminal charge be? He had yet to commit an act based on the video… What did I miss here? He looked like he was on his way, but didn’t…
While the snapped line isn’t working, I don’t much like seeing “criminal charges” before crimes are committed. I’d like to…
— All Things Heroik (@getheroik) October 23, 2026
This white on white violence needs to end
— Product Of Black History ✊🏾🇺🇸 (@BlackIshgvm) October 23, 2026
Writers and editors can be contacted at [email protected] with feedback, tips, or corrections.
Tom Tillison grew up in Maryland before moving to Central Florida as a young teen. It is in the Sunshine State that he honed both his passion for politics and his writing skills. Tillison also contributes to BizPac Review.
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