LATE RESULTS UPHOLD VICTORIES FOR BERMAN, OTHER EARLY LEADERS.

Byline: Yvette Cabrera Daily News Staff Writer

Voters re-elected Rep. Howard Berman, D-Mission Hills, by a 2-1 margin over challenger Raul Godinez to nab the Democratic nomination for a seat in Congress while other incumbents also won overwhelming support, according to the latest returns available Wednesday.

``I'm quite happy with it and grateful for it and pleased by it,'' said Berman, who will be seeking a ninth term representing the 26th Congressional District in the November general election.

Berman, who garnered 60 percent of the vote, will face Libertarian Juan Carlos Ros, the Green Party's Maria Armoudian and David L. Cossak of the Natural Law Party. Each ran unopposed in the primary.

Godinez, the mayor of San Fernando, said he was pleased to have received 31 percent of the vote considering that he was outspent by Berman.

``I'm disappointed that we lost. However, I'm not at all displeased with the showing,'' said Godinez, who plans to return to his job as a civil engineer next week.

With less than a year left on his City Council term, Godinez said he still has political ambitions and would consider running for Congress or another office in the future.

``Am I eyeing any other office? Clearly not at this time, but I'm not ruling it out,'' said Godinez, 36.

Elsewhere, in what will be one of the most closely watched congressional races, millionaire businessman Randy Hoffman earned the right to challenge 24th District incumbent Brad Sherman, D-Woodland Hills, who sailed into the general election with 54 percent of the vote. Hoffman bested two challengers to capture the Republican nomination with 21 percent of the vote.

Former Los Angeles civil service commissioner Joe Gelman trailed Hoffman with 12 percent of the vote, while small business owner William Westmiller garnered 7 percent.

``We won big last night and I'm very, very pleased,'' said Hoffman, who was especially satisfied that he received 52 percent of the Republican vote. ``We significantly exceeded my expectations in terms of getting over 50 percent of that vote.''

Sherman said he was pleased that he received 2-1/2 times as many votes as Hoffman, a goal he accomplished with a $10,000 campaign.

``I didn't even hope for anything this good,'' said Sherman. With Hoffman's monetary might - he already has $300,000 in his coffers - Sherman said he's preparing for Hoffman to invest heavily in this race.

``In spite of the results, if that's what I'm up against I'm going to have to work hard in terms of fund raising,'' said Sherman. ``But even more so I've got to shake a lot of hands, I have to prepare well for the debates. We have to mobilize our volunteer base.''

Sherman and Hoffman also face businesswoman Catherine Carter, Natural Law; musician Erich D. Miller, Libertarian; and teacher Ralph Shroyer, Peace and Freedom.

Another congressional race attracting the attention of both major parties is the 27th District seat, which first-term Rep. James Rogan, R-Pasadena, defended with 59 percent of the vote on Tuesday. He will face political newcomer Barry Gordon, who won the Democratic nomination with 37 percent of the vote.

Though pleased with the results, Rogan said the election that counts for him will be in November.

``I will be redoubling my efforts to make sure we have a good showing at the polls,'' said Rogan.

Gordon, an attorney and actor, said the election results were as he expected and looked forward to challenging Rogan's record.

``Now the work begins, our job is to define (Rogan) through his voting record,'' said Gordon. ``We have to show the voters that his rhetoric is one thing and his voting record is something else.''

Gordon and Rogan will also face Libertarian Bob New, a Glendale businessman.

Hometown legislator, Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, easily won the Republican nomination for the 25th Congressional District seat with 79 percent of the vote.

The three-term incumbent will face Libertarian Bruce R. Acker of Chatsworth. Saugus housewife and Parent Teachers Association President Diane Trautman will not know if she succeeded in winning a spot on the ballot as a write-in candidate until the county Registrar-Recorder's Office processes the write-in candidates. The processing begins today.

Trautman is seeking to be placed on the ballot as the Democratic challenger.