Emery grew up in Rockland before attending college at Worcester Polytechnic Institute, where he received a BS in electrical engineering in 1970.

Emery was initially thought to be the favorite, but he ran a highly critical campaign which made a negative impression, and Mitchell won the election with 61% of the vote.

In the Republican primary he came in last of the three candidates on the ballot, finishing behind State Senators Chandler Woodcock of Farmington and Peter Mills of Skowhegan.

[2] In April 2011, Emery was appointed Deputy Commissioner of Administrative and Financial Services by Governor of Maine Paul LePage.

[3] In July 2016, Emery was chosen to run for a Maine State Senate seat against incumbent Democrat David Miramant of Camden.