Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini, a Republican, had to be physically restrained during a township council meeting Wednesday evening after he rushed toward a resident who has frequently criticized him.
The confrontation began when Michael Sawka, a longtime critic of the mayor, gestured toward the back of the room, where Bianchini’s wife and children were seated, according to Fox News. Video of the meeting showed Sawka remaining in his seat while making the gesture, then appearing to raise his middle finger toward the mayor.
Bianchini then stood up, pointed at Sawka and moved toward him as others in the room tried to hold him back. ABC 7 reported that the mayor told Sawka, “I’m getting you,” before being escorted out of the room.
Afterward, Bianchini acknowledged his reaction had gone too far. “I just basically snapped. I hate to put it this way, but it’s a long time coming,” he said, adding that he was wrong to tell Sawka he was “gonna get” him.
“Don’t attack my family. I think any good husband, any good father, would’ve done just what I did,” Bianchini said.
Sawka was accused of making rude comments directed at the mayor’s wife and daughter, who were sitting in the back of the room. Sawka has denied saying anything to them, according to ABC’s report.
Additional video from the meeting captured Sawka demanding that police intervene. “I want the police to arrest him now. I’m charging him with assault. He came here to threaten me physically, and he just said he’s gonna get me. That’s a threat!” Sawka said.
Bianchini has accused Sawka of harassing him and his family both online and in person. Sawka, for his part, said he was simply trying to expose what he describes as government waste, and he claimed the mayor’s family had targeted him online as well.
Sawka has since filed a complaint seeking assault and terrorist threats charges against the mayor. Law enforcement has not indicated whether any charges will be filed.
Bianchini described Sawka as having “been a thorn in this township’s side” for years.
The clash comes as Bianchini faces reelection this year. He is being challenged by Democrat Belinda Fontanez and by Republican Councilman Dan Dewey, who is running a write-in campaign, according to a report from the New York Post.
