Victorville City Council will consider removing Planning Commissioner Derek Marshall for participating in the Victor Valley High School walkout on Friday, Feb. 13, which concluded at the Victorville City Hall.
According to Mayor Pro Tem Bob Harriman, who motioned on Feb. 17 for Marshall’s removal to be agendized at the next council meeting on March 3, Marshall’s participation “communicates a disregard for our local governance structure, which we as a city council have supported.”
The council approved a discussion and possible action regarding Marshall’s removal in a 4-1 vote. Councilwoman Leslie Irving, who appointed Marshall to the commission, voted no.
Marshall says he joined the walkout as a “private citizen” and not as a representative from the planning commission. He told the Daily Press that this move is politically motivated, as he and Harriman intend to run for the District 4 seat in the local election this November.
Harriman could not be reached for additional comment.
The nomination period for the November 2026 election opens July 13, according to Victorville Public Information Officer Sue Jones. This is when candidates pull and file the official paperwork to seek election on the Victorville City Council. Because the nomination period has not opened, the city has yet to receive nomination papers from any candidates intending to run for Victorville City Council.
High Desert residents are expressing concern about whether Marshall was “on the clock” when he joined the walkout. Apple Valley resident Steve McFarland states that the move to rid of the planning commissioner violates his First Amendment rights if he was off duty.
Others, like Glenn Smalley, say that if on duty, employers have the right to reprimand employees for misrepresenting their image.
The 2026 election race
Harriman is a 46-year Victorville resident. He was elected to the council in November 2022 as the District 4 representative, a four-year term, and appointed to the mayor pro tem position in January 2024.
He is the owner of High Desert Concrete and has previously served on the Victorville Planning Commission and Community Services Advisory Committee.
Harriman’s District 4 seat is up for re-election this November, along with the District 2 seat that Corrine Mora filled in December 2025 after former Councilwoman Debra Jones stepped down from the role due to a “family crisis” in October.
He has not publicly announced a campaign.
Derek Marshall ran for California’s 23rd Congressional District representative in 2024 against incumbent Jay Obernolte. He received 39.9% of the vote, or 105,563 votes, to Obernolte’s 159,286.
Fueled by the close race, Marshall told the Daily Press he is running this year “because Victorville deserves a government that actually works for the people who live here.” His campaign is focused on safe streets, affordable homes, good jobs, lower bills and a transparent city.
McKenna is a reporter for the Daily Press. She can be reached at mmobley@usatodayco.com.
This article originally appeared on Victorville Daily Press: Victorville council to consider removing planning commissioner after school walkout
Reporting by McKenna Mobley, Victorville Daily Press / Victorville Daily Press
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