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

Stephen Woytek also follows SS uniform suppliers on Facebook, and the report notes his apparent longstanding hobby of military reenactment.

A campaign staffer for Ohio Republican Senator Jon Husted was fired following revelations that the 25-year-old once had a Facebook profile photo of German SS soldiers, a spokesperson for Husted told The Washington Post on Friday.

The staffer, identified as Stephen Woytek, further posted a song playlist celebrating the defunct nation of Rhodesia, a former British colony often revered by white supremacists, the report added.

“Steve serves our country honorably as a lieutenant in the US Army and is a proud graduate of The Citadel," the spokesperson said. "He studies military history and routinely reenacts historical battles. While he denies negative intent, his social media activity displays a complete lack of judgment and disregard for its impact on others.

"Senator Husted demands better of those who represent him," she added. "Upon learning about the social media posts today, Senator Husted made the immediate decision to part ways.”

Husted's campaign did not respond to a Washington Post request for comment on the vetting process for Woytek before he worked for them during the Senate race against former Democratic senator Sherrod Brown.

Woytek responds to dismissal, says he should have 'exercised better judgment' 

According to the report, Woytek responded to his dismissal by saying that he rejects "the racist and antisemitic ideology the SS and Nazi Germany represented."

"I believe it is important to educate our younger generations, which is why I participate in historical reenactments,” he said, noting that he should have “exercised better judgment when posting about my activities online.”

“I am utterly heartbroken," he added, "but respectfully am parting ways with his campaign."

According to The Washington Post, Woytek follows a self-described "non-political" military reenactment group whose members dress up in SS uniforms, with the group having previously shared photos from 2018 allegedly showing the now-former staffer wearing such a uniform while marching amongst Nazi flags.

Woytek also follows SS uniform suppliers on Facebook, and the report notes his apparent longstanding hobby of military reenactment, which extends beyond World War II, as well as his general interest in military history.

The report cited Woytek's LinkedIn profile, which shows he continues to serve in the Ohio National Guard; the National Guard did not respond to a Washington Post request for comment.