[2] Prior to elective office, Gibbons graduated from Duquesne University and the University of Pittsburgh School of Law, where he was editor in chief of the Pittsburgh Tax Review.
Gibbons also served as Finnegan Fellow with the Pennsylvania Department of State's Bureau of Elections.
He also worked for Pennsylvania State Senator Jay Costa.
[4] In 2006, he defeated 20-year incumbent Frank LaGrotta for the Democratic nomination at the age 25, while still a law student.
[3][5] LaGrotta's defeat was likely a result of his support for the controversial 2005 legislative pay raise.