Following the 2006 retirement of State Senator Sam Zamarripa, Orrock was a candidate for his district; in the Democratic primary held on July 18, 2006 Orrock defeated Grace Davis to win a seat in the State Senate since she has no Republican opponent for the general election.

She was the Vice-Chair of the House Democratic Caucus and the former Majority Whip, the first woman to ever hold this role.

Orrock was once a member of American Legislative Exchange Council (ALEC), but has since been critical of their influence.

She continually advocates for environmentally sound policies, and worked on passing monumental legislation surrounding regulation of landfills.

Following this, she proceeded to work with SNCC in Georgia and Mississippi and lead civil rights projects in the Black Belt counties of her home state of Virginia.