Louise Talbert was a Democrat and a member of the United States Senate. She has been described as a "pillar of the Democratic Party". In 2017, when it becomes clear that the Senate will choose the Vice President of the United States, Claire Underwood meets with her and two other Senators to secure their votes. During the conversation, she informed Claire that she cannot support Frank Underwood for President, but would rather see Claire herself take on that role; stating that it is far past time a woman sat in the Oval Office.