Wild moment New Jersey mayor charges at a resident in front of shocked locals during out-of-control public meeting

By RACHEL BOWMAN, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER and JOE HUTCHISON, US SENIOR NEWS REPORTER

Published: 23:53 BST, 23 October 2026 | Updated: 04:06 BST, 24 October 2026

A New Jersey town meeting erupted into chaos this week after the town's mayor brazenly charged across the council chambers to allegedly attack a constituent.

Pemberton Township Republican Mayor Matthew Bianchini, 59, had to be manhandled on Wednesday night after charging at a resident and telling him: 'I am f****** getting you.'

Local outlet Pine Barrens Tribute captured footage of the bizarre incident and shared the clip on its social media page. 

Mayor Bianchini is seen leaving his seat after pointing his finger towards the resident, identified as Michael Sawka, and charging across the room to the public gallery. 

As the mayor approaches Sawka, a man in a blue checked suit steps between them and shouts 'stop' at Bianchini. 

Another man gets involved, and the two pin Bianchini against a wall, where he raises his hands as if accepting defeat. 

'You should resign,' Sawka said, causing the mayor to try to lunge at him again; at this point, three men hold him back. 

The mayor was then led away by one man in a bear hug, as he shouted at the man: 'I am getting you, I am f****** getting you.'

Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini, 59, had to be held back from attacking a constituent during a tense town meeting

Bianchini claimed he has a fraught relationship with the man and alleged the man had made rude comments to his family

'He just threatened me; that's on video. I want the police to arrest him; that is assault,' Sawka said.  

Bianchini was led away to a side room, and according to the tribute, everyone involved in the spat was asked to leave the meeting. 

Another angle captured by the township's own livestream showed the mayor and the man trading words across the room as others spoke. 

Just seconds before the mayor jumped out of his seat, the man was seen flipping him off with his 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. 

Mayor Bianchini is seen leaving his seat after pointing his finger towards the resident, identified as Michael Sawka, and charging across the room to the public gallery

Another angle captured by the township's own livestream showed the mayor and the man trading words across the room as others spoke

'Don't attack my family. I think any good husband, any good father, would've done just what I did.'   

Bianchini apologized for his actions, 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 the mayor's family and told the local news station he remained calm during the situation.

'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 wants the mayor to step down from office and be charged for 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.