Theodore J. Sophocleus | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Member of theMaryland House of Delegates from District 32 | |
| In office January 9, 1999 – June 8, 2018 | |
| Preceded by | Michael W. Burns |
| Constituency | Anne Arundel County, Maryland, U.S. |
| Member of theMaryland House of Delegates from District 30 | |
| In office June 25, 1993 – 1995 | |
| Preceded by | Tyras S. Athey |
| Succeeded by | Mary Ann Love,Michael W. Burns, andJames E. Rzepkowski |
| Constituency | District 30,Anne Arundel County |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1939-05-28)May 28, 1939 Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Died | (aged 79) Baltimore, Maryland, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
Theodore J. Sophocleus (May 28, 1939 – June 8, 2018) was an American politician fromMaryland and a member of theDemocratic Party. Before seeking political office, he was a pharmacist and a drug store chain executive.
Sophocleus was born inBaltimore, on May 29, 1939, the son of Greek-American immigrants John and Despina Sophocleus. As a youth, he lived in the city'sHighlandtown neighborhood and attendedPatterson Park High School in Baltimore.[1] After high school, he graduated from theUniversity of Maryland School of Pharmacy, where he earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Pharmacy in 1962.
After graduation, Sophocleus worked for theRead's Drug Store chain from 1960 to 1977, rising to an executive position. He subsequently was an executive with a Texas drug store chain before moving toLinthicum, Maryland, where he opened his own pharmacy.[1]
Sophocleus first served two terms on the elected County Council ofAnne Arundel County, Maryland, beginning in 1982. He took an active role on his constituents' behalf regardingnoise abatement issues atBaltimore–Washington International Airport in Linthicum.[1] He ran unsuccessfully for Anne Arundel County Executive in 1990 and 1994.
Sophocleus began serving in theMaryland House of Delegates in 1993, when he was appointed by GovernorWilliam Donald Schaefer to replace Tyras S. Athey (who had resigned). Sophocleus was elected in his own right in 1998 and was serving in his fourth full term in the House of Delegates at the time of his death, representing Maryland's District 32 in Anne Arundel County.
He served on many committees, including the Appropriations Committee, and was also Deputy Majority Whip.[2]
While in the House, Delegate Sophocleus:
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pamela Beidle, Dem. | 17,964 | 18.6% | Won |
| Mary Ann Love, Dem. | 17,697 | 18.3% | Won |
| Theodore Sophocleus, Dem. | 17,661 | 18.3% | Won |
| Mark S. Chang, Sr, Rep. | 16,569 | 17.1% | Lost |
| Terry R. Gilleland, Jr., Rep. | 13,632 | 14.1% | Lost |
| Wayne Charles Smith, Rep. | 13,153 | 13.6% | Lost |
| Other Write-Ins | 75 | 0.1% | Lost |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| James E. Rzepkowski, Rep. | 18,299 | 19.84% | Won |
| Theodore Sophocleus, Dem. | 16,842 | 18.26% | Won |
| Mary Ann Love, Dem. | 16,646 | 18.05% | Won |
| Robert G. Pepersack, Sr, Rep. | 14,628 | 15.86% | Lost |
| Victor A. Sulin, Dem. | 13,694 | 14.85% | Lost |
| David P. Starr, Rep. | 12,020 | 13.04% | Lost |
| Other Write-Ins | 82 | 0.09% | Lost |
| Name | Votes | Percent | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|
| Mary Ann Love, Dem. | 15,823 | 19% | Won |
| Theodore Sophocleus, Dem. | 15,382 | 18% | Won |
| James E. Rzepkowski, Rep. | 14,959 | 18% | Won |
| Michael W. Burns, Rep. | 13,247 | 16% | Lost |
| Victor Sulin, Dem. | 12,658 | 15% | Lost |
| Betty Ann O'Neill, Dem. | 11,752 | 14% | Lost |
Sophocleus died on June 8, 2018, while hospitalized in Baltimore. He was survived by his wife, Alice.[13] Upon his death, both fellow Democrats and Republicans in the House of Delegates lauded his bipartisan helpfulness. Said one Republican Delegate: "Ted Sophocleus was one of the finest people I've met in public office. He was honest, true to himself and his constituents, and loved his family dearly."[1]
Sophocleus was inducted by his alma mater into the Patterson Park High School "Alumni Hall of Fame". He was honored by the Maryland State's Attorneys' Association as "Legislator of the Year" in 2004. The Maryland Network Against Domestic Violence also named him "Legislator of the Year", in 2005.[1]