He was active in a number of subsequent political campaigns, including serving as Bill Clinton's California campaign manager in 1992. After Clinton was elected, Emerson worked as an assistant at the White House, as deputy director of intergovernmental affairs where he served as liaison to the nation's governors, and coordinated the administration's efforts to obtain congressional approval of the Uruguay Round of the GATT trade agreement. Emerson was particularly noted for his work as the president's chief liaison in dealing with California issues, including the aftermath of the 1994 Northridge earthquake. He subsequently worked at Capital Group Companies, an international investment management company headquartered in Los Angeles, where he became president of private client services, serving in that capacity for 16 years.