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

Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted recently fired one of his campaign staffers, Stephen Woytek, after it was discovered that Woytek had used German SS soldiers in his Facebook profile photo and posted a song playlist celebrating Rhodesia, a former British colony often revered by white supremacists. Woytek, a 25-year-old lieutenant in the US Army and a graduate of The Citadel, studies military history and regularly reenacts historical battles.

He denies any negative intent behind his social media activity but acknowledges that his actions displayed a "complete lack of judgment and disregard for its impact on others."

Senator Husted expressed disappointment in Woytek's social media posts and demanded better from those representing him. Upon learning about the posts, the senator made the immediate decision to sever ties with the campaign. Woytek responded to his dismissal by stating that he rejects the racist and antisemitic ideology associated with the SS and Nazi Germany, emphasizing that his participation in historical reenactments is for the purpose of educating younger generations.

He noted that he should have exercised better judgment when posting about his activities online and expressed his heartbreak over the situation.

According to the report, Woytek is part of a non-political military reenactment group that has previously shared photos allegedly showing members wearing SS uniforms and marching alongside Nazi flags. Woytek also follows SS uniform suppliers on Facebook, indicating his longstanding hobby of military reenactment, which extends beyond World War II. His LinkedIn profile shows that he continues to serve in the Ohio National Guard, but the National Guard declined to comment on the matter when contacted by the Washington Post.