<P> Shortly thereafter, Frank is shot by Lucas Goodwin, in an assassination attempt, and falls into a coma . While Frank is in surgery, Claire helps guide Frank's weak vice president Donald Blythe through a diplomatic crisis with Russia . While Frank is receiving a liver transplant, she declines going to the hospital in favor of negotiating a treaty with Petrov, and strong - arms him into accepting the U.S.' terms . When Frank recovers from surgery, he agrees to let Claire be his vice president . He and Claire advocate for a controversial gun control bill for the sole purpose of creating an atmosphere divisive enough to pick off the potential running mates . In the ensuing open convention, they publicly endorse Secretary of State Catherine Durant (Jayne Atkinson) for the job, while working behind the scenes to undermine her and ensure that Claire wins enough delegates to be nominated . Meanwhile, she reluctantly honors her mother's request to help her die . She and Frank then use the public sympathy from Elizabeth's death to win the nomination; they are now running mates . </P> <P> When the terrorist group Islamic Caliphate Organization (ICO) takes an American family hostage, Claire negotiates with their imprisoned leader, Yusuf Al Ahmadi (Farshad Farahat), who agrees to tell his followers to release the hostages . Al Ahmadi reneges on the deal, however, and tells them to kill the hostages . At the same time, journalist Tom Hammerschmidt (Boris McGiver) publishes an investigative news story detailing Frank's crimes . Claire gives Frank the idea to declare war on ICO and allow the public to see the hostage die in order to distract from the scandal and create an atmosphere of widespread fear that they can exploit . In the final scene, Claire finally breaks the fourth wall with Frank . </P> <P> In season 5, Claire's story begins as the opening scene of the season: shooting a propaganda commercial in order to stir up fear . Throughout the beginning, she helps make the campaign's focal point about the fear of ICO and how they can stop the threat . </P> <P> On Election Day, Claire and Frank learn that they may lose because of low voter turnout . They exploit a possible terrorist threat to close down multiple polling centers in key states, such as Ohio . This leading to numerous states filing lawsuits and refusing honoring the election results . </P>

Who plays claire's lover in house of cards