By Sydney Byerly
The Indiana Citizen
September 14, 2026
When lawmakers hold public town halls, they often use public spaces such as libraries, schools, community centers or government buildings. Lt. Gov. Micah Beckwith’s next town hall, however, is scheduled at the Greenwood residence of a former Republican congressional candidate, raising questions about how the location will accommodate members of the public, specifically those with disabilities.
Beckwith’s Tuesday evening town hall is scheduled at Olive Branch Farm, the property of Sarah Janisse Brown in Greenwood.
Brown narrowly lost her bid to oust 6th District U.S. Rep. Jefferson Shreve in the May Republican primary. Shreve received 53.1% of the vote to Brown’s 46.9%.
The town hall is part of Beckwith’s statewide 92 and You tour, which his office launched in March to visit all 92 Indiana counties and connect Hoosiers to the office of a statewide elected official.
State Rep. Ed Clere, a veteran New Albany legislator who left the Republican Party earlier this year and is running as an independent for mayor of his hometown, previously questioned Beckwith’s choice of venue.
Clere said town halls should be held in locations where voters can feel comfortable attending regardless of their politics. He also questioned why Beckwith would use a private residence when public locations are available.
“A town hall should be open and accessible,” Clere said.
Clere said practical questions include where on the property the event will be held, whether attendees will encounter stairs or uneven surfaces and whether accessible restrooms are available. Because he was unfamiliar with Brown’s property, Clere did not say Greenwood residence is inaccessible but emphasized that accessibility should be a big priority for any kind of town hall event.
Brown says those accommodations are available.
Brown has characterized Olive Branch Farm as more than a private residence, describing it as a community-focused agritourism venue that regularly hosts public gatherings.
In a post on X promoting Beckwith’s town hall, Brown said her family has hosted farm-to-table meals, homeschool co-ops, worship nights and “a good many meet-the-candidate evenings.”
“The best ones were always the nights when neighbors who didn’t agree on everything still pulled up a chair and talked,” Brown wrote. “That’s what we’re hoping for again. Everyone is welcome, whatever your politics.”
Brown told The Indiana Citizen that the farm has hosted events involving candidates from both political parties, as well as police officers, firefighters and elected officials.
She also described the property as a place where her family hosts nature-centered events, including gatherings for families with children with special needs and older adults.
Brown said her own experience caring for children with disabilities and trauma has made her attentive to the needs of people who require accommodations. She said she is a therapy designer for children with challenges and trauma and has experience providing care and assistance to people who need accommodations.
The Indiana Democratic Party previously criticized the decision to hold Beckwith’s town hall at the property.
Indiana Democratic Party Chair Karen Tallian pointed to other 92 & You events held at county buildings, public libraries and community centers and questioned whether holding an official town hall at a private property associated with a Republican candidate makes the event less accessible to the broader public.
“You don’t conduct official town halls welcoming the public to attend and voice their concerns at the private residence of a MAGA politician,” Tallian previously told The Indiana Citizen. “You know – this is a political rally.”
Brown said the property has features intended to make Beckwith’s town hall accessible.
“There is a smooth access from a designated parking area adjoining the event space and ADA restroom with easy access,” Brown said.
Her post promoting the event also says: “Accessible Parking, Access & Restroom Available.”
The exact location of the town hall on the property has not been announced. Brown’s post refers to previous meet-the-candidate events taking place “under these trees,” but does not say whether Beckwith’s town hall will be held outdoors, in the residence, a barn, pavilion or another structure.
It remains unclear whether Beckwith’s team reviewed the venue for accessibility ahead of time, or why the specific venue was chosen. Beckwith held his previous Johnson County town hall at Franklin City Hall in March 2025.
Federal disability law generally does not cover a private home used only as a residence, although portions of a home used as a place of public accommodation can be covered. Because Beckwith’s office is a state entity, the Americans with Disabilities Act also requires its programs and activities to be accessible to people with disabilities and prohibits choosing locations that exclude people with disabilities or substantially impair the program.
Brown and Beckwith have known each other for several years.
Brown said she met Beckwith at Life Church in Noblesville, where he is lead pastor, about three years ago. Her son played in Beckwith’s traveling band, which performed worship music at Christian camps around the country, and Brown said the two families have remained connected.
“I’m always proud of people [like Micah] who don’t completely separate their faith from their work,” Brown said, describing public service as a calling.
When Beckwith broke tradition and actively campaigned for the lieutenant governor’s office in 2024, Brown said she encouraged people to vote for delegates whom she knew would support him.
Beckwith did not endorse Brown in her or anyone else in the 2026 congressional primary, according to both Brown and Beckwith’s office.
The Indiana Citizen previously reported that campaign-finance records show a Sarah Brown contributed $50 to Beckwith’s 2024 campaign. The records reviewed for that story did not establish whether that contributor was Sarah Janisse Brown, or someone else with the fairly common name.
Beckwith’s office has said the state is not paying Brown or anyone associated with the farm to use the property.
Graham Loughead, a spokesperson for Beckwith, said the venue is being provided for free and that the state will not incur additional costs for the event. He said staff salaries are already part of the office’s existing costs.
Loughead has also said Beckwith’s office has held town halls at other privately owned locations, including churches and Veterans posts. He acknowledged that the Greenwood property is different because it is a private residence associated with someone who recently ran for public office.
The Sept. 15 town hall is scheduled for 6 to 8 p.m. at 5720 W. Olive Branch Road in Greenwood.
Sydney Byerly is a political reporter who grew up in New Albany, Indiana. Before joining The Citizen, Sydney reported news for TheStatehouseFile.com and most recently managed and edited The Corydon Democrat & Clarion News in southern Indiana. She earned her bachelor’s in journalism at Franklin College’s Pulliam School of Journalism (‘Sco Griz!).
The Indiana Citizen is a nonpartisan, nonprofit platform dedicated to increasing the number of informed and engaged Hoosier citizens. We are operated by the Indiana Citizen Education Foundation, Inc., a 501(c)(3) public charity. For questions about the story, contact Marilyn Odendahl at marilyn.odendahl@indianacitizen.org.
