Preceded by James Schramm Role Politician Spouse(s) Sylvia Perez Residence Sheboygan | Children Cibi, Rigo, Ethan Succeeded by Bob Ryan Name Juan Perez | |
 | ||
Alma mater Texas A&M International University
University of Wisconsin Law School Education Texas A&M International University, University of Wisconsin Law School | ||
Juan Perez (born 1956) is an American municipal politician and lawyer. He is the former Mayor of Sheboygan, Wisconsin. Perez is the first Latino mayor in Wisconsin. He served one term in the office, as he was unable to advance in the February 18, 2009 primary election against two other candidates. Alderman Bob Ryan won the later April 7 general election and succeeded him in office on April 20, 2009.
Contents
Education
Mayor Perez has a Bachelor of Arts degree from Texas A&M International University in Laredo, Texas with a major in English and a minor in political science. He also has a law degree from the University of Wisconsin Law School.
Before becoming mayor, Mayor Perez worked at the University of Wisconsin–Sheboygan as an Academic Advisor and Coordinator of Pre-College Programs.
Career
Perez served as Alderman of the Sheboygan Common Council for several years. He was Vice-President of the Council and served in various boards and committees. He also served as Trustee for the Sheboygan Board of Education for several years, and served both as President and Vice-President of the school board. Perez was a member of the Sheboygan Kiwanis Club and served as President and Vice-President of the club. Perez was a member of the Mead Public Library Board of Trustees. Perez also was a member of the Friends of Senior Center Board of Directors and served as President and Vice-President of the Board. In 2001, Perez received the distinguished Humanitarian of the Year Award and the Community Service Award.
State Assembly campaign
Former Sheboygan Mayor Juan Perez is challenging Rep. Terry Van Akkeren for the 26th District seat in the state Assembly.
Failed recall effort
Perez was the subject of a failed recall in mid-2006, which was coordinated by the Sheboygan branch of Citizens for Responsible Government. The recall effort had a racial tone to their recall effort but the group claimed that Perez "fail(ed) to uphold his mayoral duties in office with integrity and professionalism," based on his successful efforts to move the location of the city's new police headquarters from a local park to a site on the city's west side, and an aborted merge of the Sheboygan Police Department and 911 center into the Sheboygan County Sheriff's Office, along with issues regarding coverage of the city from local radio station WHBL and the city's decision to market tourism through their own city division rather than through the Sheboygan County Chamber of Commerce. 6,000 signatures were needed, but supposedly only 4,013 of the signatures required, were collected. None of the signatures were ever confirmed or verified.