Good editorial. I would take the "the nuances of progressive policy" one step further and suggest the fundamental issue is between faux progressives who are neoliberal more than anything else, and progressives who are truly democratic leftists. Nikkita Oliver says this election is about who will have the right to live in this city over the next few years. 

Exactly; who has a "right to the city" (please look it up) is exactly what we're deciding in this election.

Candidates who want Vulcan's support to run will not be inclined to afford the "right to the city" to those who are below the average median income (AMI). Gentrification and displacement will continue if we elect yet another mayor and council member(s) who represent developer interests first. 

As you observe, in Seattle all candidates will sound liberal, but most will indeed have more or less "neo" in the policies and actions they promote. Come on Seattle; haven't you had enough? Let's elect some real progressives for once.