The district formerly encompassed all or parts of Audrain, Boone, Chariton, Howard and Monroe counties.
[1] Paul Quinn was born in Hannibal, Missouri and raised in Monroe County.
One daughter, Sarah (Quinn) Deien is a longtime reporter and morning news anchor for KHQA-TV Hannibal/Quincy.
Quinn was first elected to the Missouri House in 2006, first beating fellow Democrat Ewell Lawson in the August primary, then defeating Republican Kathyrne Harper in November to succeed Wes Shoemyer.
Quinn was unopposed in the August, 2012 Democratic Primary for the 40th District, but lost a close contest in the November general election to Republican challenger Jim Hansen.