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Ohio Senator Jon Husted Terminates Campaign Staffer Over Nazi-Related Social-Media Posts
By Drooid · · How we work
Core Event
Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted’s campaign dismissed a 25-year-old staff member after a Washington Post report revealed the employee’s past Facebook activity. The staffer, identified as Stephen Woytek, had posted a profile picture depicting German SS soldiers and a playlist celebrating Rhodesia, a former British colony that is often admired by white-supremacist groups.
Background on Reenactment Involvement
Woytek, a U.S. Army lieutenant and Citadel graduate, described himself as a military-history enthusiast who participates in historical reenactments. He has been linked to a self-described “non-political” reenactment group whose members sometimes wear SS uniforms. Photographs from 2018, shared by the group, allegedly show Woytek marching in such a uniform beneath Nazi flags. He also follows SS-uniform suppliers on Facebook and has a broader interest in military history that extends beyond World II. One documented appearance of the group occurred on May 24, 2015 at the Overlord Military Spectacular, where participants portrayed the SS Panzer Division Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler.
Official Statements & Staffer’s Response
The spokesperson added that the senator made the “immediate decision to part ways” upon learning of the posts. In a statement, Woytek expressed regret, saying he should have exercised better judgment online, rejected the racist and antisemitic ideology of the SS, and was “utterly heartbroken” about leaving the campaign.
Implications for Campaign Vetting
The incident highlights the challenges political campaigns face in vetting staff for online conduct that may conflict with public expectations. While the campaign did not comment on its prior vetting procedures, the swift dismissal underscores a growing sensitivity to extremist symbolism in political circles and may prompt tighter scrutiny of social-media histories for future hires.