Republican strategists are warning President Donald Trump that his economic message risks colliding with voters who remain focused on high prices, energy costs and housing as the GOP enters the final phase before the November midterm elections.

Jason Cabel Roe, a Republican strategy consultant involved in a congressional campaign, told the Washington Examiner that "people are struggling on the affordability issue," adding that candidates could appear out of touch if they attempt to sell voters on economic statistics.

The warnings come as Republicans seek to capitalize on reports of job growth, rising consumer spending — the largest single component of U.S. economic activity — and a steady unemployment rate. Some in the party fear they could be repeating the same mistake that damaged former President Joe Biden: telling voters the economy is strong even though many households do not feel their situation has improved. Midterm cycles have often served as referendums on the party holding the White House, which is one reason the GOP's economic framing has drawn scrutiny from inside the party.

A Republican strategist based in a rural farm state told the Examiner that polls still show the economy as a major issue and that "people aren't feeling great about it." Farmers are confronting higher costs for inputs and fuel during the harvest season, with diesel prices exceeding $6 a gallon in some areas. Fuel and other input expenses are among the largest recurring costs in farm operations, and harvest season concentrates diesel demand for fieldwork, hauling and grain drying.

Representative Rob Wittman of Virginia, a Republican running in a fiercely contested district, echoed the concern, noting that people "don't experience the economy through a GDP report." Voters, he said, base their assessments on grocery bills, the price of gas and utility bills.

Recent survey data underscores the caution among GOP strategists. The Conference Board reported that its consumer confidence index fell 6.7 points to 81.9 in September, its lowest level since April 2014. The index is built on households' assessments of current business and labor conditions as well as their short-term outlook. According to Reuters, the decline was seen across the political aisle as well as age and income groups.

The University of Michigan Consumer Sentiment Index, which tracks how consumers view their personal finances and broader economic conditions, fell to 48.1 in September from 51.7 in August and now stands 15 percent below its January level. Republican sentiment has declined 20 percent since January, while Democratic sentiment has decreased 13 percent, according to the survey.

Republicans continue to maintain that the tax cuts they supported and other policies have delivered savings to both workers and businesses. Representative Derrick Van Orden of Wisconsin told the Examiner that the party does have a strong economic argument, citing tax measures relating to tips, overtime, Social Security and families.

Still, affordability has become difficult for GOP candidates to ignore. Senate Republicans have returned to Washington to review bills intended to protect consumers from rising electricity prices, and Majority Leader John Thune said Republicans are facing economic "headwinds" in their campaigns across the country. Whether those bills advance in the closing stretch is likely to be watched as the party attempts to pair its economic record with relief aimed at household costs.

With Election Day approaching, Republican candidates are increasingly focusing their economic messaging on costs voters see directly rather than on national growth figures in the final weeks of the campaign.