A hot-tempered New Jersey mayor who charged at a resident during a fiery October meeting was trounced in his reelection bid.

Pemberton Republican Mayor Matthew Bianchini conceded his race to Democratic challenger Belinda Fontanez Wednesday morning, nearly two weeks after lunging at a local gadfly, screaming “I am getting you, I am f–king getting you!”

Bianchini had garnered only 1,983 votes — just over 30% of the ballot — as of Wednesday’s latest unofficial results from Burlington County.

“The voters of Pemberton Township have spoken, and the results are clear. I offer Belinda Fontanez my sincere congratulations on her victory,” Bianchini wrote on Facebook on Wednesday.

“As she prepares to take on the responsibility of leading our community, she has my full support for a smooth transition. I care deeply about the future of this township, and its success matters far more than any single election,” he added.

“Campaigns are intense, emotional, and testing journeys. There are moments we look back on with pride, and moments that teach us humility. Leadership requires learning from every chapter, I accept this outcome with an open heart and a deep respect for our democratic process,” he said.

Fontanez, a former township employee, had sued former Pemberton Mayor Jack Tompkins who resigned in January 2026 after multiple allegations of sexual misconduct, according to NJ.com.

Bianchini, who had been serving as a township committee member, was picked by the local Republican Party to replace Tompkins and serve out the remaining term.

Bianchini came under fire two weeks before election day after his viral outburst at vocal critic Michael Sawka during a committee hearing on Oct. 22.

Former town director of Community Development Ken Garber accused the mayor and his administration of wrongdoing when Bianchini and Township Engineer Jennifer Harris stared down their critics in the gallery.

Sawka allegedly made a gesture – which the mayor claims was hostile towards his daughter – before the elected official launched at the man.

Several people, including Councilman Perry Doyle Jr., blocked Bianchini’s advance towards Sawka, yelling, “Matt, stop.”

The town hall center turned into a shouting match as one man called for Bianchini to immediately resign.

“I want the police here to arrest him for that threat! That is assault!” Sawka shouted.

Bianchini admitted he “just basically snapped” during the meeting but defended his actions, claiming they were justified as he was trying to protect his family.

“I will not apologize for my actions last night. If you attack my family, as that resident did last night, I will act,” Bianchini wrote on Facebook. 

“My wife and daughter were both physically and verbally attacked. Were my actions wrong? Probably. Were they justified? Absolutely!” he said.

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