Sen. Jon Husted's political director in Ohio's closely watched Senate race is out of a job after The Washington Post uncovered a trail of social media activity linking him to SS reenactment culture, Nazi memorabilia and playlists glorifying white-minority-ruled Rhodesia.
Stephen Woytek, 25, had only been named Husted's political director in August when the reporting surfaced. His public Facebook account once used a photo of real 1941 Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler Division soldiers as his profile picture, an image that remained visible on his account as recently as Friday. He also followed a WWII reenactment group specifically dedicated to portraying that same SS unit, followed suppliers of SS military uniforms, and created a Pinterest board years ago featuring Nazi uniform images.
Husted's campaign moved quickly once contacted by reporters, announcing it would part ways with Woytek.
"Sen. Husted demands better of those who represent him. Upon learning about the social media posts today, Sen. Husted made the immediate decision to part ways," a campaign spokeswoman said.
Woytek defended his hobby as historical reenactment rather than ideological sympathy, insisting he rejects the racist and antisemitic ideology Nazi Germany represented.
"I want to be unequivocal: I reject 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," Woytek said, adding that he was "utterly heartbroken" but stepping away from the campaign.
Beyond the WWII material, a Spotify account bearing Woytek's name and photo maintained a public playlist titled "Tales From Rhodesia," described as being for someone "homesick for a place that no longer exists," with songs added as recently as last month. Rhodesia, the former British colony now known as Zimbabwe that was ruled by a small white minority until 1980, carries deep significance for extremist movements — it's the same imagery worn by the gunman who killed nine Black churchgoers in Charleston in 2015 and by the shooter who killed three Black victims at a Jacksonville Dollar General in 2023. One song on Woytek's playlist used a racial slur referring to African troops.
Woytek, a Citadel graduate who currently serves as a National Guard lieutenant, did not answer questions about the Rhodesian playlist's purpose. Husted's campaign has not clarified whether Woytek's background was vetted before he was hired for the sensitive political role in one of the nation's most competitive Senate races.
Husted is not the only GOP Senate candidate who has landed in a similar scandal. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA), running against incumbent Democrat Jon Ossoff, had to distance himself from his past dealings with his son-in-law, who has pushed white supremacist and neo-Nazi ideology.
