A Brazilian mayoral candidate attacked his opponent with a chair mid-debate

• Brazilian mayoral candidate José Luiz Datena attacked rival Pablo Marçal with a chair mid-debate.
• Datena struck Marçal during a live debate after Marçal referenced past sexual harassment claims.

A Brazilian mayoral candidate smashed a chair into his opponent during a live debate on Sunday.

José Luiz Datena, 67, swung the chair at his rival Pablo Marçal, 37, during an intense exchange that was broadcast by TV Cultura and shared by multiple outlets, including CNN, NBC, and The Washington Post.

Datena, a news anchor, and Marçal, a far-right influencer, were among six candidates campaigning to become the next mayor of São Paulo, one of the world's largest cities.

Speaking to TV Cultura, Datena said he struck Marçal because he had, in a previous debate, spoken about sexual harassment allegations made against him that had been dismissed several years prior, the reports said.

"He came with a case that was archived, that was not even investigated by the police because there was no evidence. Something from 11 years ago that caused a very serious situation within my family," Datena said, per CNN.

After threatening to hit Marçal during the previous debate, Datena launched the attack on Sunday when his opponent said he wasn't man enough to do so, NBC reported.

Datena said that "he lost his cool," but did not apologize, The New York Times reported. "I made a mistake, but I don't regret it in any way," he said, according to the report.

Marçal was given medical treatment at Sírio Libanês Hospital, CNN reported. The seriousness of his injuries is not fully known.

CNN reported that he was treated for a possible fracture in the chest area, adding that there was trauma to both the wrist and chest without any significant complications. Meanwhile, local media cited by The Washington Post, reported that he had a fractured rib and a dislocated finger.

Marçal compared the attack to the assassination attempt on former US president Donald Trump in July, writing on Instagram, "Why all this hate?" alongside a photo of the incident.

Marçal's representatives told CNN they would be taking legal action.

"Pablo Marçal was cowardly attacked by José Luiz Datena, who hit him in the ribs with an iron chair," a spokesperson for Marçal told the outlet.

At the time of writing, it's unclear what — if any — impact the altercation will have on the mayoral election.

Datena is polling in fifth place, while Marçal is polling third behind Ricardo Nunes and Guilherme Boulos, NBC reported.

"Most voters had no idea he was a candidate and now everyone is talking about him. He could grow in the polls," Andre Cesar, a consultant and political analyst at Hold Assessoria Legislativa consultancy, told NBC.

"It was good theater, aimed to help a lagging campaign," he added.

Both candidates did not immediately respond to a request by Business Insider for comment.