New Jersey Mayor Who Lunged at Critic Admits He Snapped

A New Jersey mayor said he “just basically snapped” after charging at a vocal critic during a tense township council meeting—but insisted he “would do it again.”

Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini, 59, acknowledged that lunging at the constituent during Wednesday’s heated exchange was inappropriate. At the same time, he described the confrontation as “a long time coming,” according to WPVI-TV.

“Was it wrong? Absolutely. Was it justified? Absolutely,” Bianchini said. “And I would do it again if I had to.”

Video from the meeting shows resident Michael Sawka waving away remarks reportedly made by Bianchini’s wife and daughter before raising his middle finger toward the mayor.

Bianchini then rushed toward Sawka, shouting, “I am getting you, I am f—ing getting you!” Councilman Perry Doyle Jr., a retired police officer, and Kenneth Gerber, the former community development director, restrained him, the station reported.

The clash erupted as Gerber accused the Republican mayor’s administration of wrongdoing during an employment appeal, according to video of the meeting.

The mayor, who leads the Philadelphia suburb of roughly 28,000 residents, offered what appeared to be a reluctant apology in an interview Thursday.

“I should not have said that,” Bianchini told the outlet, according to the report. “That was wrong. It was in the heat of the moment. I’m not gonna get anybody.”

He continued, “Don’t attack my family. I think any good husband, any good father, would’ve done just what I did.”

Sawka denied directing his remarks at Bianchini’s family. He called for the Republican mayor to resign and face charges over the confrontation.

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“I’m just sitting there,” Sawka said, according to the report. “I never got up. I sat there the whole time. I was calm the whole time.”

“His family behind us started saying stuff. I turn around, and I start waving my hands, like kinda just—why don’t you all just shut up? I didn’t even say a word; I just was waving my hand.”

Bianchini, however, alleged that Sawka had harassed him and his family online and in person since he became mayor following the resignation of his predecessor.

“Mr. Sawka has been a thorn in this township’s side for a number of years. I’m not the first mayor he’s attacked,” Bianchini said, according to the station. “This gentleman’s life is all about me. He spends endless hours day after day posting stuff about me, negative posts about me, lies about me, and it’s gotta stop.”

Sawka maintained that he was the target of personal attacks from the mayor’s family. He said his criticism has focused on what he considers irresponsible handling of township finances.

“My biggest thing—all I’ve ever been trying to do is show that we’re wasting money,” Sawka told the outlet.

Bianchini is seeking election this year and faces Democratic challenger Belinda Fontanez. Republican Councilman Dan Dewey is also running a write-in campaign.

Before the confrontation, footage showed Sawka seated beside a man wearing a Dewey campaign shirt as the mayor and other administration officials looked on with apparent disapproval.

The Post has contacted the administration for comment.

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