Republican candidate Chris Mathys, who is vying for California’s 22nd Congressional District, has changed the pronunciation of his last name, and the new version sounds oddly similar to another California politician’s name.

Mathys, a staunch MAGA conservative, is running against Rep. David Valadao (R-CA), who represents the state’s 22nd District. His last name has traditionally been pronounced “Mat-eese” by news broadcasters, the House Majority PAC, and even by his own supporters. However, on Monday, Mathys released an ad pronouncing it as “Math-is,” Politico reported — reminiscent of Republican Assemblyman Devon Mathis’s surname. Mathis’s 33rd District overlaps with California’s 22nd District, which Mathys is seeking to represent.

Mathis told the outlet that Mathys is just attempting to use his name ID to bask in his popularity.

“The man is worthless,” Mathis told Politico Monday. “He’s a liar. He’s a cheater. And he’s a carpetbagger.”

Mathys assured the outlet he was “absolutely not” trying to copy Mathis, and he said that his Swiss-German last name has always alternated between the two pronunciations. He also added that “Mat-eese” was harder for voters in the Central Valley to pronounce.

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“I’ve grown up with two pronunciations my whole life,” Mathys said.

Mathis announced last year that he would not seek reelection, and he will retire once his term ends in 2025. The outlet noted, however, that he is an ardent supporter of the 22nd District’s incumbent, Valadao.