Pettingill's Play

Pettingill Bolts Dems

The big news under the dome, contrary to rumors (the first-version title you may be seeing hints at that, as does Iowa Progress) was the defection of State Rep. Dawn Pettingill (D R-Mount Auburn) to the GOP.

This raises several questions:

The timing is interesting as Rants steps on the Dems' end of session plaudits and imposed a conservative frame:

"The House Democratic leadership pursued an agenda which veered far from the principles for which my constituents and I stand," (Pettengill) said in a statement.

How long ago was this planned?

Was it before or after Pettingill started going to Democratic caucuses again, and what kinds of conversations was she having?

Will she be giving back the $38,611 (43% of her fundraising) that she got in direct donations from the Iowa Democratic Party, not to mention any other money from disgruntled Dems?