NORTH LITTLE ROCK MAYOR’S BROTHER WON $1.82B POWERBALL
The younger brother of a North Little Rock mayor won the $1.82 billion Arkansas Powerball jackpot with a ticket from a gas station.
Tracy Hartwick bought the winning Quick Play ticket at a Murphy USA store in Cabot for the December 24, 2025 drawing, and lottery records identified him as the winner on July 15, 2026. It was the second-largest Powerball jackpot in history.
The win put a spotlight on his brother, Terry Hartwick, who was serving his third term as North Little Rock mayor. The New York Post reported that Terry allegedly inappropriately touched teenage girls after a high-school choir Christmas performance, and that no charges were brought.
Arkansas Special Prosecutor Robbie Jones addressed the allegations in a letter written in April 2026. “For any of the sexual offenses to apply, the State would have to present evidence that the contact was for the purpose of the Mayor’s sexual gratification. As with a charge under Harassment, the proof of this element is lacking, which is fatal to any prosecution under Sexual Assault 2nd [degree].”
Jones concluded the missing proof was fatal to prosecution for second-degree sexual assault and harassment. Terry had also been investigated before over alleged acceptance of free vacations, sports trips and payments from contractors doing city work, the Post reported.
Where the money went
Tracy skipped the annuity and chose the one-time cash option of $834.9 million before taxes.
The Arkansas Democrat-Gazette reported that lottery records show Tracy owned 94% of the prize. Timothy Allen Hartwick and one unnamed person held smaller shares.
After roughly $218.9 million in state and federal withholdings, the records show Tracy took home about $565.8 million. He received his check on January 20, 2026, according to those records.
Powerball is also expanding internationally, with residents in the United Kingdom able to purchase tickets.
How his name came out
Tracy stayed anonymous at first when he claimed the prize, the Post reported. His name later surfaced through lottery records, USA Today reported.
The Democrat-Gazette reported that Tracy and Timothy were identified because they did not qualify for a confidentiality exemption under state lottery law.
The Post reported that winners unrelated to public officials can stay anonymous far longer than the sibling of an official. Tracy’s anonymity was limited because his brother is an elected mayor.
The mayor’s office did not comment on his brother’s lottery win, THV11 reported.
