Republican campaign staffer fired over use of SS soldiers in Facebook profile photo

A campaign staffer for Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted was fired after a Washington Post report revealed he had a Facebook profile photo of German SS soldiers and posted a song playlist celebrating Rhodesia, a former British colony often revered by white supremacists. The staffer, Stephen Woytek, said he rejects Nazi ideology and participates in historical reenactments, but acknowledged he should have exercised better judgment. Husted's spokesperson stated the social media activity displayed a complete lack of judgment, leading to the immediate decision to part ways.

A campaign staffer for Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted was fired following a Washington Post report that the 25-year-old, Stephen Woytek, had a Facebook profile photo of German SS soldiers and posted a song playlist celebrating the defunct nation of Rhodesia, a former British colony often revered by white supremacists. Husted's spokesperson said Woytek serves as a lieutenant in the US Army and is a graduate of The Citadel, studies military history, and reenacts historical battles. The spokesperson stated that while Woytek denies negative intent, his social media activity displayed a complete lack of judgment, and Senator Husted made the immediate decision to part ways. Woytek responded by saying he rejects the racist and antisemitic ideology of the SS and Nazi Germany, noting he participates in historical reenactments to educate younger generations, but acknowledged he should have exercised better judgment when posting about his activities online. The Washington Post reported that Woytek follows a military reenactment group whose members dress in SS uniforms, and that he follows SS uniform suppliers on Facebook. The report also noted his LinkedIn profile shows he continues to serve in the Ohio National Guard.