Finis Valorum/Legends

Finis Valorum of the Galactic Republic was the Chancellor of the Galactic Republic before Queen Padmé Amidala introduced a Vote of No Confidence into the Galactic Senate which then passed it. He was subsequently replaced by his colleague, Senator Palpatine of Naboo.

Valorum comes from an ancient and distinguished family, and at least one of his ancestors had served as Chancellor in the past, among them Tarsus Valorum, Tullius Valorum, and Laeca Valorum. This background, ironically, works aganist him, as many come to believe he had been elected solely because of his famous surname. Valorum's appropriate first name, Finis (which means "the end,") was also given to him by the Expanded Universe.

Before his election as Chancellor, Valorum was Senator of the Lytton Sector. Valorum was killed, shortly after the Battle of Geonosis, in a terrorist attack that was attributed to Separatists. However, previously Valorum had been having a conference with Bail Organa in which he revealed some suspicion for Palpatine's political maneuverings. It doesn't seem very far out to imagine that the future Emperor had orchestrated Valorum's death.

The Finis Valorum Memorial was constructed on Coruscant to honor the last being who served as Chancellor before Palpatine's rise to power.

Behind the Scenes
Valorum was played by actor Terence Stamp who has stated that the character was inspired by then president Bill Clinton. Stamp recalls that George Lucas described Valorum as a good but beleaguered man.