HELENA -- Democratic gubernatorial candidate Brian Schweitzer apparently bought two vehicles recently from a Kellogg, Idaho, car lot and Kalispell auto dealer Greg Scarff is so miffed about it, he's telling everyone he can.

Scarff, a self-described conservative Republican who sells the same kind of trucks in the Flathead that he said Schweitzer drove out of state to buy, blitzed the fax machines of more than 50 auto dealers across the state over the past few days announcing Schweitzer's supposed Idaho purchase.

Voice mails left on Schweitzer's cell phone seeking comment went unanswered Wednesday and his brother who works on his campaign, Walt Schweitzer, said he had no comment.

''Brian's talking about how you should be helping Montana businesses, yet he shops out of state," Scarff said in a phone interview Wednesday. ''He had to pass five GM dealers on his way to Idaho."

On the first page of the fax Scarff sent out, big letters state: ''Attention: Montana Auto Dealers. Here are two vehicle(s) bought by Brian Schweitzer, who just happens to be running for Governor of Montana. Draw your own conclusions."

The next three pages of the fax, which include information from the Montana cross-sell vehicle report, show Schweitzer to be the buyer of a 2004 Chevrolet Tahoe with four-wheel drive and a 2004 Chevrolet Silverado extended cab pick-up with four-wheel drive from Dave Smith Motors in Kellogg, Idaho, this past winter.

Scarff said the truck pair likely cost Schweitzer close to $80,000.

''If he's talking about promoting and supporting Montana businesses, he's kind of talking out both sides of his mouth," Scarff said.

Schweitzer's opponent, Republican secretary of state Bob Brown, said Schweitzer has long talked about growing Montana's economy through small business development.

''He clearly wasn't putting his money where his mouth was," Brown said.

Brown's campaign manager, Jason Thielman, said Brown has never bought a car out of state and has routinely bought vehicles from DePratu Ford, Volkswagen and Audi in the Flathead.

Scarff said he discovered Schweitzer's Idaho purchases in January while looking over the state vehicle registration information compiled in the Montana cross-sell report. The cross-sell report is the product of a subscription service that compiles information for auto dealers, lenders and others, Scarff said.

Scarff said he e-mailed Schweitzer in May and asked the candidate why he bought two trucks in Idaho, but said Schweitzer never responded.