[citation needed] In 1994, Peraica was the Democratic nominee for the 16th district election to the Cook County Board of Commissioners,[2] losing to Republican Allan C. Carr.
In 1998, Peraica switched parties and was the Republican nominee for Cook County Treasurer, this time losing an open race to Democrat Maria Pappas.
Peraica ran a strong campaign in the heavily Democratic county, but ultimately lost in a close race to the younger Stroger.
In the 2010 election for the Cook County 16th District Commissioner, he was arrested for tearing up signs of his Democratic opponent Jeffery Tobolski in McCook.
[5][6] On December 4, 2012, Peraica was found guilty of criminal damage to property for defacing the former rival's campaign signs prior to the 2010 election, and he was sentenced to four months of court supervision.