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    Amy Quinn for Asbury Park Mayor

    About Amy

    Education & Early Public-Interest Career

    • 2000 — B.A., Forensic Psychology (John Jay College, CUNY).
      Laid the foundation for a public-service career focused on vulnerable populations.
    • 2005 — J.D., New York Law School.
      Pursued public-interest law while working in child welfare and litigation support.
    • 2001–2004 — Child Protective Service Worker (NJ DYFS).
      Hands-on child welfare experience that informed later advocacy as an attorney and local official.
    • 2005 — Litigation Support, McCarter & English.
      Gained practical exposure to complex legal processes.
    • 2006–2007 — Paralegal, NJ DYFS.
      Continued service in child and family protection while studying for the NJ Bar Exam.
    • 2007–Present — Senior/Staff Attorney, Community Health Law Project (CHLP).
      Represents and advocates for low‑income and disabled residents seeking benefits and civil rights protections.

    Community Leadership

    • 2005–present — Vice Chair, Environmental & Shade Tree Commission.
      Helped implement 28 gardens throughout the city, including the Rain Garden at the Transportation Center and the Community Garden at City Hall, and helped with planning and implementation of the planting of 2,000+ trees citywide.
    • Oct 21, 2013 — Among the first same‑sex couples married in NJ (midnight ceremony on the Asbury Park boardwalk).
      A historic civil rights milestone and symbol of local inclusivity.
    • 2013-present — Running & Winning Workshop with the League of Women Voters of Monmouth County.
      Yearly opportunity for 50 young women in their junior year of high school to network, develop decision-making skills, gain self-confidence, and be mentored by Women in Government while learning about some of the intricacies of the political process. 
    • 2019 — Panelist for Innovation by Managing & Embracing Citizen Engagement at New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference.
    • 2021 — Panelist at Jersey Shore Women’s Conference.
      Bi-partisan discussion of diversity, empowerment and representation.
    • 2021 — Panelist for Promoting Public Health Through Harm Reduction: A compassionate approach to prevent overdose and equip communities to confront the opioid crisis at New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference.
    • 2022 — Moderator/Speaker for ArtPride panel at New Jersey League of Municipalities Conference.
      Moderator/Speaker at “Art Leads the Way” discussion. Highlighting many different ways toward recovery, vibrancy, and community health. Moderating discussion on how seemingly uncommon partners work together to make neighborhoods lively and robust utilizing arts and culture.
    • 2025 — Appointed to Governor-Elect Mikie Sherrill’s transition team.
      Serving on the Local Government Advisory Board.

    Awards & Recognitions

    • 2019 — Grassroots Community Award.
      The Monmouth and Ocean County Democrats LGBTQ Caucus.
    • 2019 — Distinguished Public Servant Award.
      Presented by Senator Vin Gopal for Women’s History Month.
    • 2021 — Kamala Harris Leadership Award.
      “In recognition for your dedication to Asbury Park and the pursuit of equality, justice, and democracy for all.”
    • 2021 — Elect Women NJ Leadership Recognition.
      Honored for municipal leadership as part of the organization’s inaugural cohort.
    • 2024 — QSpot Community Leader Award.
      Honored for leadership on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community.
    • 2024 — Endorsements.
      Endorsed for office by LPAC, LGBTQ+ Victory Campaign, Governor Phil Murphy, Senator Vin Gopal, the Monroe Towers Tenants Association, and over 50 community, business, and union leaders.
    • 2025 — Prevention Resource Network Community Leadership Award.
      Recognized for advocacy and leadership on behalf of the LGBTQ+ community at a local ceremony attended by state leaders.

    Council Tenure & Deputy Mayorship

    • July 2013 — Elected to Asbury Park City Council.
      Entered office with priorities of crime reduction, transparent government, and small‑business support.
    • 2014 — Asbury Together Platform.
      Advanced an agenda of open and responsive government, local employment opportunities, comprehensive crime strategy, fiscal responsibility, and development that benefits everyone.
    • 2015 — Appointed Deputy Mayor (continuously serving since).
      Provided leadership that emphasized public engagement to inform policy directions. 
    • 2020 — Re‑elected to a four‑year Council term.
      Reinforced public mandate; continued as Deputy Mayor.
    • 2025 — A Resounding Public Mandate-Sworn in for New Four‑Year Term (Deputy Mayor).
      Returned to office with running mates after a landslide win in the November 2024 election; continued leadership into the 2025–2028 term.

    Affordability & Housing

    • 2016–present — Zoning & Housing Reform (incl. ADUs).
      Advanced accessory dwelling units to diversify housing and supported progressive housing policies.
    • 2024 — Rent Control & Affordable Housing.
      Set a limit on yearly rent raises for buildings with 3+ units
    • Created affordable housing initiatives that include a 20% set aside for affordable housing. 
    • Restricted AirBnBs

    Local Business

    • 2019–2024 — Small‑Business & Main Street Support.
      Directed UEZ resources to storefront upgrades and other small‑business programs; leveraged events and grants to drive foot traffic.
    • 2023 — Secured $526,000 in State UEZ Funding for Local Businesses.
      Backed programs for façade/walkway improvements, a micro‑business lease subsidy, supplemental police foot patrols in business districts, and workforce development with the Boys & Girls Club.
    • 2023 — Launched the “Made & Sold in Asbury Park” Initiative (UEZ).
      Created a first‑of‑its‑kind winter event (held Feb 3, 2024) to boost off‑season sales and showcase local makers.
    • 2025 — Secured over $1 million in State UEZ Funding for Local Businesses.
      Backed programs that include façade/walkway improvements, a micro‑business lease subsidy,  supplemental police foot patrols in business districts, and workforce development for adults and students.
    • Ongoing — Bond Rating.
      Prior to May 11, 2015 the rating was Baa1
      On May 11, 2015 rating downgraded to Baa2
      In 2018 rating upgraded to A2 (3 steps up since the 2015 rating)
      In March 2021 upgraded to A1
      In January 2023 upgraded to Aa3

    The Arts

    • 2016–present — Visual Arts, Parks, & Culture, including:
      Delivered major parks improvements and live‑music programming
      Over 20 murals throughout the city including on City Hall, Sewer Plant, and Springwood Park. 
      Street murals throughout the city
      Supported art organizations to promote public art
      Photography classes for children
      Art on the beach lockers
      Garbage can art
      Art benches
      A mural practice wall
    • 2025 — Arts, Events & Public Realm Enhancements.
      Encouraged public art integration in new multifamily development; supported UEZ funding for consumer‑attracting events; approved a bench sponsorship program with the Environmental Shade Tree Commission.

    Environmental Stewardship

    • 2013–Present — Coastal Resilience Leadership.
      Led the City’s engagement with Rebuild by Design after Hurricanes Irene and Sandy; has advocated for a permanent resiliency commission.
    • 2025 — Infrastructure Upgrades.
      Council actions included Phase I wastewater treatment plant improvements.
    • Other projects have included:
      • renewable energy LEED program Leadership in Energy and Environmental design, we encourage all to meet the Leed Silver standards
      • grant from BPU for 3 free charging stations Springwood , 7th and Mattison
      • Park Upgrades 
      • Community Garden
      • Rain Gardens through the City
      • Banned plastic bag (before the state of NJ)
      • Tree inventory
      • A forest tree management plan

    Transparency

    Safe Streets

    • 2019–present — Transportation & Public Safety.
      Implemented a city-wide scooter program, bike rentals, and bike lanes.
    • 2016–2024 — Senior Mobility.
      Expanded EZ Ride for Seniors to improve access and independence.
    • New traffic lights 5th and Grand Sunset and Grand , Prospect and Bangs Ridge and Asbury Memorial and 4th Memorial and 3rd
    • Increased bikes lanes
    • Increased Corrals (similar to bikes lanes)
    • Bike racks
    • Bike lockers
    • Reduced speed limit to 25 mph throughout town (2025)
    • Gold Level Recognition of NJ Safe Routes (2025)
    • Adopted Vision Zero Policy (2025)
    • Reduced fees for scooter program for AP residents who qualify
    • Updated crosswalks
    • Member of the Vision Zero Task Force, a goal from the State of New Jersey for no pedestrian deaths by car
    • Bikeways Grant
      We received approval for $680,000 for a bikeway project along Asbury Avenue from Main Street to Heck street that will include bicycle infrastructure and an upgrade to the traffic signal and intersection at Grand Ave and Asbury Ave.
    • Safe Streets to Transit Grant
      We received approval for $455,000 to upgrade the intersection of Prospect Avenue and Bangs Avenue. This entails an upgrading of the signal, all ramps and sidewalks, striping, and a repaving of the intersection.
    • Memorial Drive
      The project will include the reconstruction of Memorial Drive from Monroe Avenue to Sixth Avenue, the installation of two new traffic signals, and new striping, signage, and two buffered bicycle lanes. We received approval from NJ DOT for the installation of Traffic Signals at Third and Memorial and Fourth and Memorial.
    • Main Street Streetscape
      This grant is intended to plant trees and install bicycle racks along Main Street and Deal Lake Drive (State Route 71). We recently had our public meeting and incorporated public feedback into our plan. We are finalizing our preliminary engineering drawings and seeking NJ DOT’s approval to move to final engineering.

    Community

    • 2019–2026 — Infrastructure & Public Facilities.
      Supported delivery/planning of a new firehouse, aligning capital projects with community growth.
    • Secured one of the largest grants from the state for new public bathrooms, boardwalk decking, and new railings.
    • Ongoing — Inclusivity.
      The City of Asbury Park earned a perfect score of 100 points for three consecutive years on the 2022-2025 Municipal Equality Index (MEI), a nationwide evaluation conducted by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation that measures how effectively municipalities support, protect, and include LGBTQ+ residents, employees, and visitors.
    • 2nd city in the county to adopt a resolution to be stigma free
    • Rebuilt both the 2nd and 7th Ave. playgrounds on the beach as well as the pocket park 4th and renovation to Library Park.
    • The only municipality to support two code blue (a place for unhoused people to sleep during below freezing temps) locations in the county
    • Cosponsored Juneteenth
    • Implementing a Jazz festival for 2026
    • Increased and moved our social services department to the transportation department
    • Intentional hiring to reflect the city residents

    Public Safety

    • 2020–2022 — COVID‑19 Response.
      Helped implement walk‑in testing and vaccination access for residents during the pandemic.
    • 2025— Animal Welfare.
      Worked with community leaders to draft language for an ordinance banning the breeding of dogs and cats in Asbury Park. 
    • 2026 — Public Safety.
      Worked with the police department to create a security ordinance requiring on-site security officers in buildings that generate a high number of calls to the police department. 
    • Ongoing — Public Safety Modernization.
      Supported body‑worn camera infrastructure and data‑driven policing approaches to address crime collaboratively with residents.
    • Implemented with the Prosecutors office a recovery diversion program
    • added a social worker to work with the police department to deescalate concerns
    • Hired a police Director 
    • LGBTQ liaison
    • Implemented Alternate Route hiring for police officers.
      The Alternate Route Program (N.J.S.A. 52:17B-69.1) allows individuals to attend a certified police training academy at their own expense before being hired by municipal, county, or campus police departments. This ordinance would also apply to SLEO II officers that have received a full certification or can be waived. This also promotes diversity by Creating a Broader Applicant Pool.

    Keep Asbury Weird

    • 2025 — Approved budget for FIFA viewing project.
    • 2025 — Approved budget for ice sculpture and hot chocolate event.