PATERSON – In an accelerating sign of intensity, rival operatives could be glimpsed on Friday confronting Mayor Andre Sayegh.

The mayor was leaving an event with U.S. Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) and on the way to his car, when he received the profanity-heavy tirade from his political rivals.

Sayegh is running in a much-watched citywide election today as he pursues a second term in office.

If he wins, he would be the first mayor since Jose “Joey” Torres to win a consecutive term. Torres accomplished the feat back in 2006.

Now the former mayor (who went to jail for corruption and came back looking for revenge) backs Sayegh’s rival Alex Mendez, the city’s Third Ward Councilman.

In the video following the Booker event, Sayegh could be seen jabbing a finger at his tormentors.