Rep. Jeff Flake launched a new television advertisement today accusing his Senate Republican primary opponent, businessman Wil Cardon, of employing illegal immigrants at his business.

The ad, part of a $200,000 statewide broadcast and cable television buy, follows similar allegations published in a report in the Arizona Republic last week. Immigration has been a prominent issue in Arizona’s GOP Senate primary, with Cardon frequently accusing Flake of supporting “amnesty.”

“Wil Cardon talks tough about illegal immigration,” the narrator says. “But federal agents say nearly two-thirds of Wil Cardon’s sandwich shop employees were illegal aliens.”

Cardon has denied the charge.

“In a business career spanning 20 years, Wil has never hired an illegal immigrant, nor has he ever condoned such a practice,” Cardon spokeswoman Alyssa Pivirotto said in a statement. “That stands in stark opposition to Congressman Flake, who has long supported ‘comprehensive immigration reform’ and who opposed [Arizona’s state immigration law].”

Cardon also launched a television ad this week criticizing Flake’s positions on immigration, the debt ceiling and taxes.

“I’m a businessman who’s balanced budgets and created jobs,” Cardon says in the ad. “I’ll work to get America moving in the right direction.”

Roll Call rates the general election race as Leans Republican.