Locke was first elected to Hampton City Council in 1996. The council chose her as Vice Mayor in 1998 and Mayor in 2000.[1][2]
In 2003, she won a three-way Democratic primary for the 2nd Senate district nomination with 48.11% of the vote.[3] She then won the general election over Republican P. K. Bomersheim and independent J. B. Hobson with 64.75%.[4]
In 2007, Locke was unopposed in her re-election bid.[5]
In 2011, she defeated Republican Tom E. Harmon IV with 65.39% of the vote.[6]