KNOXVILLE, Tenn. (WATE) - Tim Burchett for Congress filed a complaint Friday with the Federal Election Commission against fellow republican candidate Jimmy Matlock's business, Matlock Tire Service, alleging the company paid for advertising for the sole purpose of promoting Matlock.

The two are facing off in a primary to become the Republican nominee to fill Tennessee's Second Congressional District.  

According to FEC regulations, a campaign cannot accept a contribution from a corporation. The complaint points to advertising from June 15-25 this year, claiming the Matlock campaign pulled their campaign spots during the same period of time. It also points to the similarities in the two spots.

The campaign ad says: "Hi, I'm Jimmy Matlock and I've spent the last 47 years changing your family's tires. Now I need your help in changing Washington." By contrast, the tire commercial says: "Hi, I'm Jimmy Matlock of Matlock Tire Service and for over 65 years we've been serving East Tennessee. And we just wanted to say thank you." 

A 2015 ad for the tire company touts superior service, professionalism and even an ad-match guarantee. There is no mention, picture or speaking part for Jimmy Matlock. The Burchett team argues that the recent tire service ad would help boost Matlock, while giving the appearance of advertising for the tire shop. 

The Matlock campaign responded Monday by saying: 

“This is exactly why people are so fed up with politics as usual and career politicians like Tim Burchett. Instead of debating the issues that matter to East Tennessee voters and explaining his liberal record, his campaign is attacking small business owners who serve our community with false claims.

Unfortunately for Tim Burchett, voters see right through this kind of desperation, and it doesn’t change the fact that he voted as a legislator to raise taxes on hardworking Tennesseans while supporting a Democrat to lead the State Senate.

Matlock Tire makes business decisions independent of the political environment, something a career politician like Tim Burchett would never understand, and Matlock Tire running television advertisements is nothing new. The company is celebrating its 65th anniversary in the community and is advertising that similarly to their 60th anniversary – when Knox County Mayor Tim Burchett celebrated them with a proclamation."