| Ted S. Nelson | |
| Birth Name: | Theodore Sgambelluri Nelson |
| Birth Date: | 17 May 1935 |
| Office: | Vice Speaker of the Guam Legislature |
| Term Start: | January 2, 1989 |
| Term End: | January 7, 1991 |
| Predecessor: | Franklin J. Gutierrez |
| Successor: | John P. Aguon |
| Office1: | Member of the 22nd and 23rd Guam Legislature |
| Office2: | Member of the 17th, 18th, 19th, 20th Guam Legislature |
| Party: | Democratic Party of Guam |
| Spouse: | Gloria Camacho Borja |
| Children: | 5 |
| Relations: | Telena Nelson (granddaughter) |
| Residence: | Yigo, Guam |
| Profession: | Politician, educator |
Theodore "Ted" Sgambelluri Nelson (born May 17, 1935) is a Guamanian retired politician. A member of the Democratic Party of Guam, Nelson served as Vice Speaker of Guam Legislature[1] and senator in the Guam Legislature for 6 terms.[2]
He was born on May 17, 1935, to Peter Flores Torres Nelson and Laura Sgambelluri. Nelson graduated from George Washington High School. He earned an Associate of Arts degree from the College of Guam, a bachelor's degree from Ohio State University, and a master's degree from the University of New Mexico.
Nelson taught physical education at George Washington High School. He served as vice principal of George Washington Junior High School and later John F. Kennedy High School. He served as principal at George Washington Junior and Senior High Schools. He served as a special assistant under Governor Camacho and Governor Bordallo.
Nelson was married to Gloria Camacho Borja and has four children (Gwendolyn "Gwen", Theodore "Ted" Jr., Glenn and Rhonda) and one adopted daughter (Mary Adelbai Wenty).
Nelson is the paternal grandfather of Senator Telena Cruz Nelson.[3]
In 1974, Joaquin C. "Kin" Arriola teamed up with Nelson in the Democratic Party of Guam Gubernatorial Primary. In the primary, Arriola-Nelson placed 4th against the teams of Ricardo Bordallo and Rudolph G. Sablan, Pedro C. Sanchez and Esteban U. Torres, and Manuel F.L. Guerrero and David D.L. Flores, with 1,254 votes.[4]
During the 1977 Guam Constitutional Convention, Nelson served as a delegate from Mongmong-Toto-Maite and secretary of the convention.[5]
| Election Year | Guam Legislature | Primary Placement | General Placement | Result | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1978 | 15th Guam Legislature | 2 (2nd District) | 9 (2nd District) | Not elected[6] | |
| 1980 | 16th Guam Legislature | ... (2nd District) | 8 (2nd District) | Not elected[7] | |
| 1982 | 17th Guam Legislature | 5 | 5 | Elected[8] | |
| 1984 | 18th Guam Legislature | 3 | 12 | Elected[9] | |
| 1986 | 19th Guam Legislature | 3 | 5 | Elected[10] | |
| 1988 | 20th Guam Legislature | 5 | 14 | Elected[11] | |
| 1990 | 21st Guam Legislature | 2 | 22 | Not elected[12] | |
| 1992 | 22nd Guam Legislature | No primary election | 21 | Elected[13] | |
| 1994 | 23rd Guam Legislature | 7 | 14 | Elected[14] | |
| 1996 | 24th Guam Legislature | 11 | 23 | Not elected[15] | |
| 1998 | 25th Guam Legislature | No primary election | 18 | Not elected[16] | |
| 2000 | 26th Guam Legislature | No primary election | 25 | Not elected | |
| 2002 | 27th Guam Legislature | 11 | 23 | Not elected[17] | |
| 2004 | 28th Guam Legislature | 10 | 26 | Not elected[18] |
Nelson served as vice president of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1996.[19]