BOCA RATON, Fla. -- An investigation is under way into allegations that a Florida congressman made a death threat toward his challenger at a political forum on Thursday night.

Republican challenger Marion Thorpe and incumbent Rep. Alcee Hastings squared off in a debate for Florida's 23rd Congressional District at the Temple Beth El in Boca Raton. But Thorpe claimed it took a nasty turn.

"At the end, when it's customary for candidates to shake hands, Mr. Hastings and I shook hands and he pulled me in closer to him," Thorpe said. "He said, 'You mention that impeachment mess again, and I'm taking you out. Permanently.'"

Thorpe said it was Hastings who brought up his own 1989 impeachment from the Federal bench.

"Within two to three minutes, as I'm sitting, he's back in my face, with his left fist clinched," Thorpe said. "He's wagging his right index finger in my face. His jaws are tight. He's saying, 'This ain't over. I'm coming to get you. I'm going to get you.'"

Thorpe told Local 10's Janine Stanwood he was dumbfounded and fearful for his life. In a police report, Thorpe said Hastings assaulted him, but there were no witnesses.

Despite attempts to contact Hastings in his Washington and South Florida offices, Local 10 had not heard from him as of Friday night.

Four days from election night, Thorpe contended that the charges are not politically motivated.

"All I want is for Mr. Hastings to know we're not going to play this game with each other," Thorpe said. "This is not acceptable. If we want to talk about policies, we can do this until we are blue in the face -- but personal attacks against me and my family will not be tolerated."