In 2001, Perez was elected by alderman to fill an open City Council seat with then-Mayor James Schramm casting a tie-breaking vote.

He would continue serving the Sheboygan Board of Education while an alderman and won re-election to the City Council in 2002 and 2004.

Perez served one term in the office, as he was unable to advance in the February 18, 2009 primary election against two other candidates.

Perez was the subject of a failed recall in mid-2006, which was coordinated by the Sheboygan branch of Citizens for Responsible Government.

Perez challenged incumbent State Rep. Terry Van Akkeren in the 26th District Democratic primary.