Emler was appointed to the commission by Gov. Sam Brownback (R) in January 2014 for an abbreviated term ending in March 2015. He was confirmed by the state Senate and officially succeeded Commissioner Mark Sievers on January 17, 2014. Sievers announced his resignation on December 9, 2013. Emler was reappointed to the KCC in May 2015 for a full, four-year term.

Emler was a Republican member of the Kansas State Senate, representing District 35 from 2001 to January 2014, and was Majority Leader from 2010 until his resignation in January 2014 to begin his appointment to serve on the state corporation commission.