Mamie Locke

Mamie Evelyn Locke is an American politician and educator. A Democrat, she was a member of the Hampton, Virginia city council 1996-2004, and mayor 2000-2004.

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.

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. She was the first African American mayor of Hampton.
In 2003, she won a three-way Democratic primary for the 2nd Senate district nomination with 48.11% of the vote. She then won the general election over Republican P. K. Bomersheim and independent J. B. Hobson with 64.75%.
In 2007, Locke was unopposed in her re-election bid.
In 2011, she defeated Republican Tom E. Harmon IV with 65.39% of the vote.