Residents and observers outside the city condemn the ‘unquestionably racist’ signs targeting Ben Chin, but the landlord who created them says he’s just fighting back.

The runner-up in the 2011 race, up for a rematch, points to his endorsements in a stated bid ‘to bring people together.’

The special ed technician has been active on city issues such as the minimum wage, housing conditions, recreational marijuana, Congress Square Park and more.

The move brings partisan conflict to the surface in a race where Mayor Robert Macdonald and his main opponent, Ben Chin, are running in a nominally nonpartisan election.

Although he has clashed with the City Council, the Democrat has built on successes in an era of in-city and statewide challenges.