Not sure how the article is using the terms because it’s paywalled. Generally “conservative” means maintaining the status quo. You could see how “progressive”

Not sure how the article is using the terms because it’s paywalled. Generally “conservative” means maintaining the status quo. You could see how “progressive” might be the opposite if that. It’s interesting when you apply the older “liberal” label which would mean generally permissive. Obviously that label makes no sense whatsoever when describing San Francisco. In this case it sounds like they are describing entrenched interests as conservative because they want to conserve the current state of affairs. They are opposed to progress. Therefore the people opposite them must be progressive.