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Hector Mendoza is the senior United States Senator from Arizona, and was the Senate Majority Leader. He is a member of the Republican Party and was frequently mentioned as a potential Republican candidate for the 2016 Presidential Election.

Season 2[]

Frank Underwood tried to work with him to get a spending bill through the Republican-controlled Senate. Their agreement broke down under pressure from Tea Party member Senator Curtis Haas, and Mendoza ordered the Republican senators to leave the Senate chamber during a quorum call. However, the Senate Minority Leader moved to compel the attendance of absent senators. Subsequently, he struck a deal with Underwood to adhere to their orginal deal and his fellow Republicans were carried into the chamber "under protest" by the Capitol Police. The amendment was then passed by the Senate.

He appears later in the season, alongside Curtis Haas once again. Both are seen addressing a crowd of reporters on the situation regarding the Chinese money laundering scandal surrounding President Garrett Walker and call for his impeachment. They later meet with Senator Michael Kern who convinces them to vote in favour of impeachment.

Season 3[]

Mendoza meets with Claire Underwood regarding her desire to be appointed as the Ambassador to the U.N. He claimed he would not openly oppose her, but at a later hearing antagonizes her with questions, to see how she would react under pressure and thus testing her suitability for the role.

He is named as a strong contender for the Republican nomination for the 2016 Presidential Election by both Bob Birch and Claire, but Mendoza neither confirms or denies this to Frank. It is revealed later in the season that amidst a scandal of accepting undeclared payments for speeches, Mendoza had resigned. He was replaced as Senate Majority Leader by Senator Henry Mitchell.

Trivia[]

  • Hector Mendoza is portrayed by Benito Martinez is Seasons 2 and 3 of House of Cards.
  • As seen in season 3, Hector Mendoza has a portrait of Ronald Reagan hung in his office. Specifically one in which he is wearing a cowboy hat.
    • This is later mentioned by Frank when introducing him to Viktor Petrov.
  • Hector Mendoza's Senate seat was held by John McCain in real-life.
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