OREANDA-NEWS. February 15, 2016. As a major employer in the state of New Hampshire, BAE Systems was once again a frequent stop for candidates on the presidential campaign trail, leading up to the first-in-the-nation primary.

Jeb Bush, Ben Carson, Chris Christie, Carly Fiorina, and Marco Rubio all visited the company’s facility in Nashua during this primary season, taking questions from employees and asking for votes.

BAE Systems does not endorse political candidates, but, upon request, the company provides them with an equal opportunity to engage with employees during a town hall format on matters like national security, foreign policy, and domestic policy topics important to voters. In recent elections, company sites in the state have been stops for both Democrats and Republicans, including Hillary Clinton, Newt Gingrich, Joe Lieberman, and Mitt Romney.

The campaign visits are also an opportunity to inform the candidates about the products and services that BAE Systems provides in support of the U.S. military, federal agencies, and allied governments around the world. The company has approximately 4,500 employees across New Hampshire, including in Hudson, Merrimack, and Nashua, where the Electronic Systems sector is headquartered.

“Every four years, New Hampshire plays a vital role in the presidential primary process,” said Mike McBride, vice president of Legislative Affairs at BAE Systems. “As the largest manufacturer in the state, we have had the good fortune in hosting numerous candidates, who have come in to learn more about our business and employees and to ask for their vote.”