The reason being that US conservatism is often a more egalitarian branch of liberalism. In states like California and New York, they're animated by a more hiera

The reason being that US conservatism is often a more egalitarian branch of liberalism. In states like California and New York, they're animated by a more hierarchical and traditional type of (small-r) republican politics in which they cultivate client groups which they support through direct cash payments and favored policies. In California the worthies are untitled hereditary aristocrats who secure political power by accumulating and supporting vast client populations. These clients vote for the aristocratic party and provide it with a patina of moral justification. It is an intensely traditional political form that can be found in other societies going back thousands of years. These aristocrats in turn ensure that big corporate interests get favored tax treatment (often effectively zero tax) while preventing small business competition through hyper regulation. BigCo gets subsidized and pays zero tax, LilCo gets hit with endless demands for paperwork and fines. You can find similar social forms in many societies throughout history: it's not special or unique.