I read the law the other night & do not recall anything about appointments. Losing candidates simply can not run 3rd party or write in campaigns for an election they lost.
Emerson is married to Ron Gladney, attorney for the SEIU & it is thought the unions help prop up her votes. In 2010 Electrical Workers Local 1 encourage members to vote for Emerson & 3 others.
http://bobmccarty.com/tag/ron-gladney/
If she is chosen & accepts it will not sit well with many in District 8. We want her gone!
There is no certainty that Emmerson will be chosen there are plenty of names being thrown out there.