A combative New Jersey mayor who rushed toward a resident during a heated October township meeting has suffered a decisive defeat in his reelection campaign.
Republican Pemberton Mayor Matthew Bianchini conceded Wednesday morning to Democratic challenger Belinda Fontanez, nearly two weeks after confronting local critic Michael Sawka and shouting that he was going to “get” him.
Bianchini had received 1,983 votes—slightly more than 30% of the total—according to the latest unofficial Burlington County results released Wednesday.
“The voters of Pemberton Township have made their decision, and the outcome is clear,” Bianchini said in a Facebook post. He congratulated Fontanez and said he supported a smooth transition as she prepared to lead the community.
Bianchini added that the township’s future was more important than any individual election and said he remained deeply invested in its success.
Reflecting on the campaign, Bianchini described elections as difficult and emotional experiences that can bring both pride and humility. He said leadership means accepting the lessons of every chapter and respecting the democratic process.
Fontanez, a former township employee, previously filed a lawsuit against former Pemberton Mayor Jack Tompkins, who resigned in January 2026 after facing multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, NJ.com reported.
Bianchini had been serving on the township committee when local Republicans selected him to replace Tompkins and complete the remainder of his term.
His campaign came under intense scrutiny roughly two weeks before Election Day after video of his confrontation with Sawka during an Oct. 22 committee meeting spread online.
Former Community Development Director Ken Garber accused Bianchini’s administration of misconduct as the mayor and Township Engineer Jennifer Harris faced critics seated in the meeting gallery.
The mayor said Sawka made a gesture he interpreted as threatening toward his daughter. Bianchini then moved rapidly toward the resident, prompting others to intervene.
Several people, including Councilman Perry Doyle Jr., stepped between the two men and urged Bianchini to stop.
The confrontation turned the municipal meeting into a chaotic shouting match, with at least one attendee calling for the mayor’s immediate resignation.
Sawka demanded that police respond, saying he had been threatened and assaulted.
Bianchini later acknowledged that he had lost his temper, but defended the outburst by saying he was protecting his family.
In a Facebook statement, he said his wife and daughter had been subjected to physical and verbal attacks. Although he conceded that his conduct may have been wrong, he insisted that it was justified.
“Do not attack my family,” Bianchini wrote, arguing that any devoted husband or father might have reacted in the same way.
