Ohio House Dems tap Piccolantonio to replace Lightbody for northeast Franklin County seat

Democrats in the Ohio House of Representatives have sworn in a replacement for Rep. Mary Lightbody to represent the state's 4th House District.

Beryl Brown Piccolantonio, a Gahanna Democrat and president of the school board there, was selected to replace Lightbody, whose resignation became effective Tuesday.

"I have incredible shoes to fill as State Representative Mary Lightbody served us all so faithfully," Piccolantonio said Wednesday from the House floor following her swearing in. "My decisions will always recognize the dignity and worth of every Ohioan."

Lightbody (D-Plain Township) announced last week that she planned to step down from her post and turn her "full attention to my personal life, specifically my grandchildren, and dedicate my time and energy to ensuring their lives are happy, healthy, and successful," according to her resignation letter.

Piccolantonio had already filed to run for the seat this year. She will be the lone Democrat on the ballot and would face Republican Jason Allevato, of New Albany, in the November general election.

The 4th Ohio House District represents Westerville, New Albany, Gahanna and parts of Columbus' Northeast Side and Blendon, Jefferson, Plain and Sharon townships.

Piccolantonio is an attorney and has been chief ombudsman for the state workers' compensation system since 2013. She has worked with the Industrial Commission of Ohio for more than two decades in a number of roles.

Piccolantonio has served as president of the Gahanna-Jefferson School Board since 2016. She was reelected to the school board in the Nov. 7, 2023, general election, and will now have to be replaced on the school board.

She holds degrees from Ohio Dominican University and Ohio State University Mortiz College of Law.

Piccolantonio is the daughter of two former local elected officials: Ohio Supreme Court Chief Justice Eric Brown and Franklin County Commissioner Marilyn Brown. She lives in Gahanna with her husband, Andy, and their three sons.

Minority House Leader Allison Russo (D-Upper Arlington) welcomed Piccolantonio and said she is excited to see how Piccolantonio leads her district.

“Rep. Piccolantonio has shown throughout her career in public service that she is devoted to doing the hard work needed to bring positive change to the communities she serves,” Russo said.

Jessie Balmert, an Ohio government and politics reporter for the USA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, contributed to this report.

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Beryl Brown Piccolantonio to replace Ohio 4th Rep. Mary Lightbody