Senator Palpatine
Supreme Chancellor Palpatine, Darth Sidious, Sith Master

Palpatine was elected by Padmé’s parents to represent Naboo in the Galactic Senate in order to ask for the Empire’s aid against the Trade Federation. Palpatine worked his way up to eventually become Supreme Chancellor of Galactic Senate. He slowly gained the emperor’s full confidence (becoming his personal advisor) and convinced him of the need to form an imperial army. Once Cliegg became suspicious of Palpatine's motives, it was too late.

Palpatine was never successfully able to form a close friendship with Anakin. Not only was Anakin untouchable due to his royal status, he was also surrounded by other people at almost every hour of the day. When he wasn't in political meetings with his mother and stepfather, he was training with his half-brother Obi-Wan Kenobi. When he had time to spare, Anakin was with his fellow royal friends or spending time with his girlfriend. Where Palpatine failed to form that early connection, Dormé succeeded.

However, once Anakin was of a certain age, his stepfather, Emperor Cliegg Skywalker, encouraged Anakin to learn the ins and outs of the senate through the Supreme Chancellor. Palpatine confessed that the study of old religions, such as the Jedi and the Sith fascinated him and from this Anakin eventually confided in his use of the dark side. From this, Palpatine eventually admitted he was a Sith and began secretly training Anakin in the ways of the dark side.

After the death of the emperor, when Anakin ascended the throne, Palpatine ran the government almost single-handedly for over a year, though still requiring the emperor's permission for a good amount of things. He tried to persuade Anakin into running things a certain way.