Jumping ship?

What just happened in Iowa house of representatives is making me think... Ok a lot of things probably happened, but specifically Dawn Pettengill switching parties from Dems to the Republican side. I don't quickly jump for joy when that happens, I have to look at the reasons... It seems that the Dem leaders weren't surprised by her action, I guess politically for them it's best to say, Oh we saw it coming, she voted against our legislation anyway, in reality, it must tick them off, it cuts their majority which is slim anyway. She was known as one of the most conservative dems in the house. In looking at the quotes from her press conference, I think she was sincere and doing this after careful thought. She could no longer side with the liberal agenda they are going with in the dem led Iowa congress. Interesting apparently she said there are about 1/2 a dozen others considering the same. I personally don't like to see the Republicans regain anything this way, It should be through the electoral process, but can't begrudge anyone who has concluded they aren't represented by the Dems anymore wanting to get out. In reality, I think if the Republicans, locally and Nationally had not abandoned their message, but stuck to their principals (that is after all why they call them principals), they would have kept their majority in both state and national elections. so I'm mixed on this turn of events, but who am I.