Theodore J. Sophocleus

Theodore J. Sophocleus (May 28, 1939 – June 8, 2018) was an American politician from Maryland and a member of the Democratic Party. Before seeking political office, he was a pharmacist and a drug store chain executive.

Early life and education Sophocleus was born in Baltimore, on May 29, 1939, the son of Greek-American immigrants John and Despina Sophocleus. As a youth, he lived in the city's Highlandtown neighborhood and attended Patterson Park High School in Baltimore.

Legislative votes While in the House, Delegate Sophocleus: voted against the Clean Indoor Air Act of 2007 (HB359) voted against Tax Reform Act of 2007 to increase sales tax by 20% (HB2) opposed medical marijuana voted for the Maryland Gang Prosecution Act of 2007 (HB713), subjecting gang members to up to 20 years in prison and/or a fine of up to $100,000 voted in 2007 for a Maryland version of "Jessica's Law" (HB 930), eliminating parole for the most violent child sexual predators and creating a mandatory minimum sentence of 25 years in state prison voted in 2008 for Public Safety – Statewide DNA Database System – Crimes of Violence and Burglary – Post conviction (HB 370), helping to give police officers and prosecutors greater resources to solve crimes and eliminating a backlog of 24,000 unanalyzed DNA samples, leading to 192 arrests voted in 2009 for Vehicle Laws – Repeated Drunk and Drugged Driving Offenses – Suspension of License (HB 293), strengthening Maryland's drunk driving laws by imposing a mandatory one year license suspension for a person convicted of drunk driving more than once in five years also voted in 2009 for HB 102, creating the House Emergency Medical Services System Workgroup, leading to Maryland's budgeting of $52 million to fund three new Medevac helicopters to replace the State's aging fleet between 2015-2018, he annually voted to support classroom teachers, public schools, police and hospitals in Anne Arundel County. Since 2002, funding to schools across the State has increased 82%, resulting in Maryland being ranked top in the nation for K-12 education.

Election results 2006 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 32 Voters to choose three: 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

2002 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 32 Voters to choose three: 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

1998 Race for Maryland House of Delegates – District 32 Voters to choose three: 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

Death Sophocleus died on June 8, 2018, while hospitalized in Baltimore. He was survived by his wife, Alice. 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."

Honors and awards 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.

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