Supreme Chancellor election, 40 BBY
The Senate of the Galactic Republic conducted an election in 40 BBY to determine who would hold the position of Supreme Chancellor. Finis Valorum emerged as the victor. His triumph was attributed to his distinguished service during the Stark Hyperspace War, the prestige associated with his family's political heritage, and the endorsements he received from prominent families like the Tarkins and Kalpanas. Valorum later secured a second term via re-election in 36 BBY, but he was ultimately removed from his post through a Vote of No Confidence towards the conclusion of his second term.
Prelude
In the year 40 BBY, the Galactic Republic orchestrated an election to fill the seat of Supreme Chancellor. Kalpana was the Chancellor serving before this particular election.
Finis Valorum's candidacy
Finis Valorum, hailing from the House Valorum political lineage—a family that had previously produced three Supreme Chancellors for the Galactic Republic—embarked on his political journey in his late thirties. By 52 BBY, he had become the senator representing the Lytton sector. His rapid advancement within the Galactic Senate's structure and his noteworthy actions during the Stark Hyperspace War of 44 BBY garnered the attention of political commentators. During the war, he played a crucial role as a negotiator, successfully persuading the Senate to reject the demands of the pirate Iaco Stark.
Valorum secured the election through the backing of the affluent and influential Tarkin family from the planet of Eriadu. Ranulph Tarkin, once a political rival of Valorum, had deliberately sacrificed himself on the planet Troiken at the end of the Hyperspace War, seeking personal glory. The Tarkin family offered Valorum their support on the condition that he honor Ranulph as the "Hero of Troiken." Valorum also forged agreements with the Kalpana family.
The election
Despite winning the election, Valorum's victory was perceived as superficial and opportunistic. His supporters primarily backed him because they viewed him as the most promising option among a lackluster group of contenders. The general Republic populace was only familiar with Valorum due to his renowned family name, not because of any other distinguishing qualities. At the time of his election, Valorum was confident in the security of his position. The Sith Lord Darth Plagueis regarded the return of a Valorum to the Chancery as a favorable development for the Sith Grand Plan. However, his apprentice, Darth Sidious, publicly known as Senator Palpatine from the planet Naboo, believed that Valorum's election was primarily attributable to his family's legacy and the support of influential families, rather than his own diplomatic skills. This view was shared by Valorum's adversaries.
Aftermath
Upon assuming the role of Chancellor, Valorum posthumously declared Ranulph Tarkin as the "Hero of Troiken," thereby promoting Tarkin's ideology of militarism, which advocated for the establishment of a Republic Grand Army. Although the election was intended to be the highlight of Valorum's political career, his tenure in office was fraught with challenges. Valorum managed to secure re-election in 36 BBY, but with a narrow margin. Towards the conclusion of his second term in 32 BBY, Valorum was forced out of office through a Vote of No Confidence orchestrated by Palpatine, who subsequently succeeded Valorum as Chancellor. In 30 BBY, Jace Dallin, a veteran of the Stark Hyperspace War, mentioned the Tarkin family's involvement in Valorum's election while recounting the events of the war to the Jedi Padawan Aayla Secura.