Columbus, Ohio — Republican Sen. Jon Husted’s campaign fired political director Stephen Woytek after reports surfaced that he had used Nazi SS imagery on social media and maintained a public playlist celebrating Rhodesia, the former white-minority-ruled state now known as Zimbabwe.
The Washington Post reported that Woytek, 25, used a photograph of SS soldiers as his Facebook profile picture in 2018 and followed a military reenactment group that portrays the 1st SS Panzer Division. Photos linked to the group also appeared to show Woytek dressed in an SS uniform at age 16.
The Post also found a Spotify playlist under Woytek’s name titled “Tales From Rhodesia,” with songs celebrating the former state. Rhodesia has long been embraced in some white-supremacist circles as a symbol of white minority rule.
Husted’s campaign said it learned of the posts Friday and immediately decided to part ways with Woytek. A spokesperson said his social media activity showed “a complete lack of judgment and disregard for its impact on others.”
Woytek denied supporting Nazi ideology, saying he participates in historical reenactments and has portrayed soldiers from multiple conflicts, including Union and U.S. World War II troops. He said he should have exercised better judgment online.
Woytek joined Husted’s campaign in August as the Ohio Republican runs against former Democratic Sen. Sherrod Brown in one of the year’s closely watched Senate races.
Sources
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