Mayor's Brother Wins Powerball
Powerball Winner Tracy Hartwick, Mayor's Brother, Identified After Law Requires Disclosure
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Tracy Hartwick has been revealed as the winner of America's second-largest Powerball jackpot — a prize worth $1.77 billion. He is the younger brother of North Little Rock Mayor Terry Hartwick, according to MassLive. Arkansas law forced his name into the public after a six-month confidentiality window expired.
Hartwick bought a $30 Quick Play ticket with the Power Play option at a convenience store in Cabot, Arkansas, on Christmas Eve. The ticket matched all five white balls and the Powerball. The cash payout totaled roughly $834.9 million before taxes, according to NJ.com.
Arkansas Law Ended Six Months of Anonymity
Most lottery winners in the U.S. can choose to stay anonymous. Arkansas is different. State law allows winners to keep their identity private for only six months. After that window closes, the name becomes public record. Hartwick had no choice but to be identified once that period ended, according to Penn Live.
The forced disclosure is a rare situation. Many winners in states like Kansas and Maryland can stay hidden forever. Hartwick's case highlights a growing debate about whether states should protect jackpot winners from public attention — and potential danger — for longer periods.
A $30 Ticket Bought on Christmas Eve
Hartwick paid just $30 for the Quick Play ticket at a Cabot, Arkansas convenience store on December 24. The Power Play option multiplies non-jackpot prizes, but on this night, his ticket hit the jackpot itself. The odds of matching all six numbers are about 1 in 292 million, according to SILive.
The $1.77 billion prize is the second-largest in Powerball history. Only the $2.04 billion Powerball jackpot won in California in November 2022 was bigger. Hartwick took the lump-sum cash option, which came to about $834.9 million before federal and state taxes were applied.
Two Brothers and a Mystery Third Winner Share the Prize
Hartwick did not claim the prize alone. His brother Timothy Hartwick received a 3% share of the winnings, according to Cleveland.com. A third person, who is not related to Mayor Terry Hartwick, also received a 3% share. That individual has not been publicly named.
The connection to Mayor Terry Hartwick has drawn extra attention to the story. The mayor has not commented publicly on his brother's windfall. It is unclear whether the family's political profile played any role in the local or state interest in disclosing the winner's name.
Winner's Fame Reignites Debate Over Lottery Privacy Laws
Hartwick's case is drawing fresh attention to state lottery privacy laws. Winners have faced harassment, lawsuits, and even violence after being identified. Some states, like Delaware and Ohio, let winners use a trust or LLC to claim prizes without revealing their name at all, according to NJ.com.
Arkansas offers only a temporary shield. Advocates argue six months is not enough time for a billion-dollar winner to relocate, hire security, and protect their family. Hartwick's story may push Arkansas lawmakers to revisit the rules — but for now, his name is out, and his life has changed forever.
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