He entered politics at Iași, joining the Free and Independent Faction in 1869, later adhering to the National Liberal Party (PNL).
He was a diplomatic agent at Paris from October 1876 to April 1877, in the run-up to international recognition of Romania's independence.
He was first elected Senator in 1879 and Deputy in 1884, taking part in a number of Liberal as well as Conservative legislatures.
Șendrea served as Justice Minister in the Petre S. Aurelian cabinet, from November 1896 to March 1897.
After the cabinet fell, he joined the drapelist faction, but re-entered the main PNL in 1899.