Edward L. Gibbs (born October 28, 1968) is an American politician who is currently representing the 68th district in the New York State Assembly since 2022.[1][2] He is the first formerly incarcerated New York Assembly member.[3]
Early life and incarceration
Born the second-eldest of four, Gibbs was raised in public housing in East Harlem by a single mother. His family lived off of welfare.[4] As a teenager, Gibbs sold crack cocaine to support his family.[5]
At 17 years old, Gibbs was stabbed in the leg in an attempted robbery. In an act of self defense, Gibbs shot and killed his attacker before turning himself in at a local police station.[5] He spent 17 months on Rikers Island before accepting a plea deal. Gibbs then served time at the Elmira, Cayuga, and Mid-State Correctional Facilities.[6] In prison, he received his GED and associate degree.[4]
References
- ^ "Edward Gibbs". New York State Assembly. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ "Eddie Gibbs". Ballotpedia. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ Gartland, Michael (January 20, 2022). "Eddie Gibbs becomes first formerly incarcerated N.Y. Assembly member". New York Daily News. Retrieved February 10, 2022.
- ^ a b "From Rikers to Albany, Eddie Gibbs is Making History". The Village Voice. March 22, 2022. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ a b Fastenberg, Dan (February 11, 2022). "In a first, former prisoner takes seat in New York State Assembly". Reuters. Retrieved March 25, 2022.
- ^ "From Rikers to Albany – Eddie Gibbs wants to be the first ex-offender Assembly member". City & State NY. Retrieved March 25, 2022.