Rhodesia

Sen. Jon Husted, R-Ohio, fired his political director, Stephen Woytek, after a Washington Post report revealed social media posts tied to white supremacy. Woytek had used a 2018 photo of soldiers from the Leibstandarte SS Adolf Hitler, an elite Nazi unit that served as Hitler's personal guard, as his Facebook profile picture. He also appeared linked to a Spotify playlist titled "Tales From Rhodesia," referencing the former white-minority-ruled African nation admired by some white supremacists.

Husted spokesperson Amy Natoce said the posts showed "a complete lack of judgment," prompting his immediate dismissal. Woytek denied racist intent, saying he rejects Nazi ideology and participates in historical reenactments for educational purposes; he had also served as an Army lieutenant and Ohio legislative aide.

The firing comes as Husted faces a closely watched, heavily funded reelection contest against Democrat Sherrod Brown. It follows an earlier incident in which a campaign volunteer resigned after failing to disclose a past criminal case involving alleged sexual misconduct with a minor.