Ted S. Nelson

Theodore Sgambelluri Nelson was a Guamanian politician. A member of the Democratic Party of Guam, Nelson served as Vice Speaker of Guam Legislature and senator in the Guam Legislature for 6 terms.

Background

Nelson 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.
He 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 had four children and one adopted daughter.
He was the paternal grandfather of Senator Telena Cruz Nelson.
Ted S. Nelson died on February 10, 2025, at the age of 89.

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.

During the 1977 Guam Constitutional Convention, Nelson served as a delegate from Mongmong-Toto-Maite and secretary of the convention.

Nelson served as vice president of the Association of Pacific Island Legislatures from January 1, 1995, to December 31, 1996.