Mamie Locke
American politician and educator
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Mamie Evelyn Locke (born March 19, 1954) is an American politician and educator. A Democrat, she was a member of the Hampton, Virginia city council 1996–2004, and mayor 2000–2004. Since 2004, she has been a member of the Senate of Virginia, serving initially from the 2nd district; since 2024 she has served from the 23rd district. She currently represents parts of the cities of Hampton, Newport News and Portsmouth, plus part of York County. She is also a Professor of Political Science and was Dean of the School of Liberal Arts at Hampton University.[update][1]
Mamie Locke | |
|---|---|
| |
| Member of the Virginia Senate | |
| Assumed office January 14, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Henry Maxwell |
| Constituency | 2nd District (2004–2024) 23rd District (since 2024) |
| Mayor of Hampton | |
| In office July 1, 2000 – January 14, 2004 | |
| Preceded by | Joseph Spencer |
| Succeeded by | Charles Wornom |
| Personal details | |
| Born | March 19, 1954 Brandon, Mississippi, U.S. |
| Party | Democratic |
| Alma mater | Tougaloo College (BA) Clark Atlanta University (MA, PhD) |
| Website | Campaign website |
Education
Locke received a B.A. degree in history and political science from Tougaloo College in 1976. She then attended Atlanta University for advanced political science studies, receiving an M.A. in 1978 and a Ph.D. in 1984. She also completed a program in Middle Eastern studies at the American University in Cairo in 1986.[2]
Political career
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] She was the first African American mayor of Hampton.[3]
In 2003, she won a three-way Democratic primary for the 2nd Senate district nomination with 48.11% of the vote.[4] She then won the general election over Republican P. K. Bomersheim and independent J. B. Hobson with 64.75%.[5]
In 2007, Locke was unopposed in her re-election bid.[6] In 2011, she defeated Republican Tom E. Harmon IV with 65.39% of the vote.[7]