In 1896, Quinn helped found the Local 65 chapter of the United Brotherhood of Carpenters and Joiners of America (UBC), the second union organized in Perth Amboy.

[1] In addition to his work as a state labor leader, Quinn entered politics in 1913 when he was elected to the New Jersey General Assembly to represent Middlesex County.

[5] After state senator Morgan Foster Larson resigned his position in 1929 to become governor of New Jersey, Quinn became the Democratic nominee to replace him in a special election.

He defeated Republican nominee Russell Watson in the November election by more than 3,000 votes, thanks in part to the support from Jersey City mayor Frank Hague.

[2] His personal papers are held at The Monsignor Noe Field Archives and Special Collections Center at Seton Hall University in South Orange, New Jersey.