The Chicago mayoral election has heated up with the increased attention on candidate Jesus "Chuy" Garcia.

Garcia is the Cook County Commissioner and running for the Democratic Party, the same political party as incumbent candidate Rahm Emanuel, who is seeking a second term. Garcia, the son of Mexican immigrants, has surprised spectators of the Chicago mayoral election, who received 34 percent of the Feb. 24 general election, which was behind Emanuel's 45.6 percent. Emanuel, however, failed to receive an absolute majority and will enter a runoff against Garcia and new polling figures have shown a narrower race.

The polling firm Ogden and Fry released the results of a survey featuring 1,020 likely voters, and Emanuel maintained a small lead with 43.5 percent. Garcia received 38 percent, but 18 percent of respondents were undecided. Ogden and Fry acknowledged Latino voters are underrepresented in their survey, yet projected the final vote could be determined by black voters.

"Garcia has two intangible factors assisting his campaign," Ogden and Fry said in a statement. "The Hispanic vote has consistently under-polled in Chicago Mayoral polls. Also, the undecided vote generally does not break for a known incumbent."

Following the poll's release, Garcia spokesperson Stephanie Gadlin said the survey results highlighted that Chicagoans are rejecting Emanuel's failed policies on education, public safety, jobs and economic security.

"The mayor's agenda of closing neighborhood schools, closing mental health clinics and gouging hard working families has had a devastating impact on all parts of the city, but particularly in African American and Latino households," added Gadlin. "You can't destabilize the community and expect to maintain voter trust. People want direction, leadership and change and Chuy is the welcomed alternative."

Emanuel's campaign spokesperson Steve Mayberry acknowledged the incumbent's success since he assumed the office in 2010.

"When Rahm Emanuel took over four years ago, Chicago faced a $600 million deficit, companies and jobs were fleeing, and unfunded pensions threatened to bankrupt the city," said Mayberry. "Since then, Rahm balanced the budget for four straight years, personally recruited companies like Google and GE Transportation, and Chicago now leads all cities in job growth and as a place to invest. Even while he worked through budget challenges, Rahm found a way to extend full day kindergarten to every child in the city and renovate parks in every neighborhood."

According to Politico, the Emanuel campaign raised more than $13 million, more than 10 times than Garcia's campaign. The incumbent has also received the support from President Barack Obama, who voiced radio commercials and attended a campaign trip ahead of the Feb. 24 election.

The runoff election is scheduled for April 7.

__

For the latest updates, follow Latin Post's Michael Oleaga on Twitter: @EditorMikeO or contact via email: m.oleaga@latinpost.com.