Sen. Ruben Gallego, D-Ariz., is openly considering a 2028 presidential campaign as he rolls out a national economic agenda calling for a $20 minimum wage, new taxes on artificial intelligence and data centers, and expanded government jobs programs.

Gallego is increasingly positioning himself for a potential Democratic presidential campaign, using his new economic proposal to introduce a national agenda while the party looks ahead to the 2028 presidential race.

The Arizona senator acknowledged that he is considering a White House bid when asked directly about his plans, saying, “We are absolutely thinking about it.” Gallego, 46, said his decision will partly depend on whether he can balance a presidential campaign with raising his three young children.

Still, he emphasized that the agenda he unveiled Wednesday is intended to establish what he believes Democrats should focus on beginning in 2027, whether or not he ultimately becomes a presidential candidate.

At the center of Gallego’s 32-page economic plan is a proposal to raise the federal minimum wage to $20 per hour. He also calls for tying the minimum wage to inflation, requiring double-time overtime pay, expanding unionization, and promoting industrywide collective bargaining.

Gallego is also targeting the growing artificial intelligence industry. His proposal calls for new taxes on large AI companies and data centers, including an excise tax on AI company revenue and a tax on data centers. He wants to use some of that money to establish a New Deal-style public-service jobs program.

The program could pay Americans to perform jobs such as coaching youth sports, providing addiction counseling, caring for children and older Americans, mentoring and maintaining neighborhoods. Gallego argues that government policy should make human labor more valuable as businesses increasingly turn to automation.

He also proposes allowing individuals to seek compensation when technology companies use their personal data, imposing a so-called “robot tax” on automation and requiring human review of AI-driven workplace decisions involving hiring and firing.

Gallego’s economic platform comes as he attempts to establish himself nationally, but a potential presidential campaign would also bring renewed attention to controversies surrounding his political career and his associations.

One issue involves his past friendship with former Rep. Eric Swalwell, D-Calif., who resigned from Congress this year amid sexual assault allegations. Swalwell has denied any sexual misconduct. Gallego has said he was unaware of inappropriate behavior by his former friend.

Gallego has defended himself by pointing to an investigation by the Senate Ethics Committee, which dismissed a complaint against him and found no evidence of inappropriate sexual conduct or a campaign finance violation.

His political record and relationships are likely to receive increased scrutiny if he moves from considering a presidential campaign to formally seeking the Democratic nomination.

Gallego is also presenting himself as a candidate who can challenge the economic status quo within his own party. While much of his proposal targets policies associated with Republicans and President Donald Trump, he has also criticized Democrats for failing to adequately protect American workers through previous trade and economic policies.

The senator argues that Democrats need to offer voters a clearer economic message, particularly as artificial intelligence threatens to reshape the labor market.

For now, Gallego has stopped short of formally declaring a presidential campaign. But by unveiling a detailed national economic platform and acknowledging that he is “absolutely” considering a 2028 run, he is taking a significant step toward establishing himself as a potential Democratic contender.