 When Taylor resigned on 18 January 1858, Locke was elected Speaker over Reps. Isaac N. Dennis and John Henry Brown, 39 votes to 14 and 13, respectively.In 1860, Locke was elected to the Texas Senate from District 6.In 1861, Locke was a member of the Texas Secession Convention, and was on the committee that informed Sam Houston, a lifelong friend of Locke’s, that the convention had removed him from office.