A Republican congressional candidate rejected criticism from a House GOP leader Monday, saying that he did nothing wrong by wearing a Nazi uniform while participating in World War II re-enactments.

Rich Iott said that he took part in the historical re-enactments to educate the public, and that he does not agree with the Nazis' views or their actions against Jews.

Asked whether it was wrong to wear a Nazi uniform, Iott said: "I don't see anything wrong about educating the public about events that happened. And that's the whole purpose of historical re-enacting." Iott faces Democratic incumbent Rep. Marcy Kaptur in northwest Ohio in the November election.

The Atlantic magazine first reported Friday that Iott had participated in the re-enactments wearing a Waffen-SS uniform....