INCUMBENTS DEFEAT RIVALS IN U.S. RACES.

Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer

Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills, overwhelmed challenger Raul Godinez on Tuesday, and incumbents in other San Fernando Valley-area congressional races also swept to victory.

Godinez, the mayor of San Fernando, ran a David vs. Goliath campaign in the Democratic primary against Berman, who is seeking his 10th term in the 26th Congressional District. The campaign was low-key and featured just one debate.

Running unopposed in the primary were Maria Armoudian, Green Party; Juan Carlos Ros, Libertarian; and David L. Cossak, Natural Law.

Hoffman taking early lead

In another area congressional contest, Randy Hoffman led in the fight for the Republican nomination in the 24th District. The winner of the GOP battle will run in November against Democratic incumbent Brad Sherman, who was unopposed Tuesday.

With Republicans eyeing the seat as a prime target for a takeover, GOP hopefuls Joe C. Gelman, Hoffman and William Westmiller went full throttle in a race tainted with accusations of endorsement buying, resume padding and carpetbagging.

Gelman pushed for an end to affirmative action at the federal level and, like Hoffman, wants a smaller U.S. government. Hoffman also campaigned for education reform and the breakup of the Los Angeles Unified School District. Westmiller supports abortion rights, the legalization of marijuana for medicinal use and an end to all preferential treatment in government.

Rogan and Gordon

First-term Rep. James Rogan, R-Pasadena, and political newcomer Barry Gordon, a Democrat, will face off in November in the closely watched race for the 27th District seat, for which both parties are prepared to fight.

Rogan, a conservative who rose from a childhood of poverty to become a deputy district attorney and judge, will be challenged by Gordon, an actor-attorney who is past president of the Screen Actors Guild and by Libertarian Bob New, a Glendale businessman.

McKeon winning

Three-term incumbent Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon won the Republican nomination for the 25th Congressional District seat in a primary with no well-organized opposition.

It was unclear whether Saugus housewife and Parent Teachers Association President Diane Trautman's effort to convince voters to pencil her in as a write-in candidate for the November ballot as the Democratic challenger was successful.

McKeon, a conservative Republican who wants to cut taxes, reform the IRS and improve education, in November will face Libertarian Bruce R. Acker of Chatsworth who owns a small business.

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PHOTO Howard Berman

Wins Democratic bid