Dorothy Liggett Pelanda is a Republican who served as Ohio House Representative for the 83rd District from 2011 to 2019. A lifelong Marysville resident and small family farm owner, she became the first female Director of the Ohio Department of Agriculture in 2019, sworn in by Governor Mike DeWine as the 39th director. Notable achievements include establishing the Criminal Indigents of Union County in 2005, serving on the Union County Public Law Library board since 2010, two-term presidency of the Marysville Library Board, and two-term presidency of U-CO Industries for disabled adults. Her great-great-great uncle, Gideon Liggett, served on the Ohio Board of Agriculture in the early 1900s. She has three children: Brian, Doug, and Zoë.

Education and Political Experience

• Education: Marysville High School; bachelor's degree from Miami University ; J.D. from University of Akron School of Law.
• Political Experience: Appointed to Ohio House ; served on Agriculture and Natural Resources Committee; private law practice for over 30 years focused on domestic relations; public service since 1988 ; member of Union County and Ohio bar associations, and Union County Chamber of Commerce.