In Democratic cities that makes sense. At least on campaigns I've worked on they tend to endorse what comes out as the more 'conservative' candidate because it

In Democratic cities that makes sense. At least on campaigns I've worked on they tend to endorse what comes out as the more 'conservative' candidate because it's all realpolitik: the candidate which promises the most police friendly policies and who has the best relation (and thus would be friendliest in office to) police, fire, ems, whatever group leaders. Which are usually considered the more 'conservative' or policy friendly.