This is one in a series of profiles on candidates running for Santa Barbara County 3rd District supervisor. The district stretches from Isla Vista in South County north to Guadalupe, and includes the Santa Ynez Valley.

While he may be an unknown to some around Santa Barbara County, Jay Freeman, a candidate for 3rd District supervisor, has enjoyed significant prominence in the technology world.

“I’m somebody who is actually fairly famous,” Freeman said. “I don’t just have a Wikipedia article because I wrote it, I have a Wikipedia that is very well cited and is something that many other people have edited over time.”

In fact, Freeman is recognized for his Cydia software, which is an alternative to the app store for jailbroken iPhones. Freeman and his software have been featured in Forbes and The New York Times.

Freeman also enjoys popularity online, where he has nearly half a million Twitter followers -- easily the highest figure of the five supervisorial candidates for the district.

“I’m more connected with what’s current, so I’m involved in social media,” Freeman said. “I bring a level of understanding about what’s important to the future of the current generation of people.”

In Isla Vista where he lives, Freeman is known for his work on community issues, including his work on putting together a financial feasibility study for self governance, and for working with state Assemblyman Das Williams on a plan to develop a community service district in the unincorporated area of Santa Barbara County.