The final Chicago mayoral debate occurred Tuesday night, and the event included tense questioning of challenger Jesus "Chuy" Garcia's son and his previous criminal history.

Garcia and incumbent Mayor Rahm Emanuel had a debate on the issues including the city government's transparency, economy, noise reduction from O'Hare airport and leadership for the next four years. Debate moderator Phil Ponce of WTTW-TV, however, would receive a negative reaction from the audience when asking Garcia about his qualifications to reduce gang violence while being a father to a son convicted of gang violence.

Booing, directed at Ponce, was audible from the audience, which was broadcast nationwide on C-SPAN.

Ponce said court documents have labeled Garcia's son as a "gang member." The moderator also asked Garcia if his son is still a gang member. Garcia said his son is not a gang member and has been working in the community speaking out about the negatives of gangs while raising a family with four children.

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Garcia said the neighborhood where his family was raised included gang activity and admitted his son "made some mistakes." After Garcia responded, Emanuel told Ponce, "I don't actually think this is a fair line of questioning."

Emanuel's comment led to applause from the audience.

Ponce continued to question Garcia about his son's criminal history, acknowledging the two misdemeanors. Ponce defended his line of questioning, stating, "With respect, a lot of voters might wonder, if you can't keep your own son out of a gang, how could you stray the city away from gangs and violence?"

Garcia responded, "There are other things that you don't know about my son and the work that he has done. He's been a mentor with the YMCA street intervention program, he's worked for Cease Fire, he's mentored kids in the neighborhood and in many other neighborhoods. He has also worked on trauma issues in the city of Chicago. It's a great story, Phil. I'd like to introduce him to you."

Emanuel and Garcia are in a runoff election since neither candidate received the required 50 percent to win. Based on new polling data from the Chicago Tribune, Emanuel has led its survey with 58 percent of voters, while 30 percent favored Garcia. Emanuel's polling numbers saw a boost among white voters. Latino voters appeared to have maintained their support for Garcia, a Mexican American, as he received 52 percent to Emanuel's 36 percent of the Latino respondents.

"The Mayor's record is based on fear, failed policies and fiscal crises," Garcia said after the debate. "My record is rooted in democracy, inclusion, and leadership. Under the steady hand of my administration, we can restore confidence in our economy and move our neighborhoods forward."

On social media, viewers were not happy with Ponce's questioning.

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