Pemberton Township Mayor Matthew Bianchini has conceded the mayoral race to his Democratic opponent, Belinda Fontanez, following a physically charged incident at a council meeting last month. Bianchini, a Republican, earned just over 30% of the vote in unofficial results.
"The voters of Pemberton Township have spoken, and the results are clear. I offer Belinda Fontanez my sincere congratulations on her victory," Bianchini said in a Facebook post. "As she prepares to take on the responsibility of leading our community, she has my full support for a smooth transition."
Bianchini, who had been serving as mayor following his predecessor's resignation, will remain in the role until the end of the year. The incident occurred in October when video footage showed the mayor being restrained as he moved toward a resident, Michael Sawka, who appeared to make a middle-finger gesture. During the confrontation, Bianchini was heard saying, "I am f---in' gettin' you!"
In an interview with WPVI, Bianchini stated, "I basically snapped." He later told the outlet, "Was it wrong? Absolutely. Was it justified? Absolutely. And I would do it again if I had to." He also told the Pine Barrens Tribune that Sawka had been making verbally abusive comments about his wife and daughter, and that he perceived Sawka's gesture as directed at his daughter, prompting his reaction.
Sawka denied making comments toward Bianchini's family, telling WPVI, "All I've ever been trying to do is show that we're wasting money." He also stated that Bianchini's family had been attacking him online. Bianchini, however, alleged to the Pine Barrens Tribune that Sawka had been harassing his family for an extended period.
The mayor's wife commented on a Pine Barrens Tribune post, acknowledging that while she does not condone her husband's actions, she understood his "protection mode" as a parent and spouse. Bianchini acknowledged to WPVI that his outburst "was wrong" and that he "is not gonna get anybody."