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Patricia "Patty" Whittaker is the Chair of the Democratic National Committee. She's described by Frank Underwood as somewhat of an "exotic bird in these woods", being one of the few competent people in Washington. (Chapter 5)
Season 1[]
Whittaker trusts Frank Underwood, and is characterized as being very pragmatic and down-to-earth, yet approachable and open-minded. She expressed skepticism over the candidacy of Peter Russo for Governor of Pennsylvania, preferring a candidate with name recognition and fundraising/outreach machinery in place.
He convinced her and the rest of the DNC that there was no concern to be had, because after all, "what's better than a clean slate in the right hands?"
Season 4[]
In a meeting with his campaign advisors and the Democratic leadership, the President says that he wants Vice President Donald Blythe on his ticket, owing to his excellent leadership as acting President following Underwood's assassination attempt. However, he and Claire are covertly planning to make a seemingly impossible bid for a joint ticket, with her as VP.
The leadership ultimately recommends Senator Dean Austen as running-mate, owing to his deep fundraising pockets and strong support for the 2nd amendment, since both Frank and Claire are openly strong gun-control advocates. They strike a deal with NRA lobbyist Julia Melman to kill their gun control reform bill in the Senate in exchange for pressuring Austen into suspending his candidacy. With him out of the way, Frank says he wants Secretary of State Catherine Durant on the ticket because she is widely respected and has an unsurpassed ability to negotiate and achieve their legislative goals with ease.
Both Bob Birch and Terry Womack agree to a partially-open 2016 Democratic National Convention (meaning that the candidate for Vice President would be chosen by floor vote) as long as it was rigged so Durant would win.
Frank and Claire conspire with Doris and Celia Jones, among others, to secretly steal votes away from Durant and towards Claire. They strike a deal with Patty for a delegate to receive a primetime interview on a major broadcast network in exchange for being the first one to defend Claire's candidacy. When the votes for Claire start pouring in, Cathy realizes what she's up against — by proxy, she has a delegate from her home state of Louisiana demand on live television that the delegates be allowed to select the Presidential nominee as well.
In the midst of ICO terrorism, Underwood returns to Washington alongside Cathy. The President convinces Whittaker, as chairwoman, to issue a motion to suspend all votes until their return. The motion is upheld by the floor. In the car, on the way to the White House, Cathy offers Frank an ultimatum —either surrender and put her on the ticket, as promised, or she will "turn this convention upside-down." (Chapter 49)
Claire returns to her family's estate in Dallas — her mother, Elizabeth Constance Hale, was currently in hospice, dying of intermittent lymphoma. Before Claire leaves, her mother asks her to help end her life. Claire refuses, but Elizabeth begs her, saying "let me finally be a help to you. It would help you win." With Claire's lover, and Elizabeth's friend, Tom Yates, by their side, she administers a fatal dose of morphine through a drip syringe. After she passes, Claire gains the sympathy of the nation. More and more people are open to her being Vice President alongside her husband.
Frank tells Cathy that against them, she'll never win. According to him, after Claire makes her speech, "there won't be a dry eye in Atlanta or the rest of the country." When they return to the convention, Cathy appears on-stage to ask for all of her fans to join her "in supporting this extraordinary woman, the First Lady of the United States, Claire Underwood!" She walks on-stage, and gives her speech to a captive — and then roaring — crowd.
Patty then addresses the convention, saying that as chairwoman, she moves to put aside the existing votes, and to nominate Frank and Claire Underwood by acclamation. After members of the crowd second her, the speaker of the convention tells those in favor to say aye, and those against to say nay. The floor overwhelmingly votes aye.
The speaker of the convention proclaims that the Democratic Party's nominees for the 2016 presidential election will be Frank and Claire Underwood.
Behind the Scenes[]
Whittaker is portrayed by Suzanne Savoy in Season 1 and Season 4.