The final showdown over President Clinton’s impeachment probably won’t be fought in Washington, but in Glendale and the eastern San Fernando Valley during the coming race to represent the 27th Congressional district. Already leading the nation in campaign donations, the battle between U.S. Rep. James Rogan, R-Glendale, and state Sen. Adam Schiff, D-Burbank, has become one of the nation’s most closely watched contests. Yet the candidates have hardly started campaigning and shaking hands with voters. Rogan was one of 13 managers on the House Judiciary Committee who voted to impeach the president last year, and has been outspoken about his role. “Part of what is going on (in the race) is Rogan’s role in impeachment,” said Sherry Bebitch Jeffe, a political consultant and professor at Claremont McKenna College. “Democrats are angry, and Republicans want to support him.” That attention has given a boost to both campaigns. “There are really two races going on,” said Schiff. “One is in the district for the hearts and minds of the constituents, and the other was primarily initiated by Rogan at the conclusion of the impeachment trial, with him cashing in as a house manager and turning what should be a local race national.” Rogan counters that it was the media that placed the race in the national spotlight. “Sure, impeachment is going to come up during the campaign,” he said. “My opponent jumped in to ride the tidal wave of opposition (by Democrats) against me.” Judging by campaign contributions, Rogan still has plenty of support. As of Dec. 31, he had raised $2.96 million for his campaign, with more than 30 percent coming from outside the district. Meanwhile, Schiff reported collecting $1.13 million as of Dec. 31. Both candidates are running unopposed in the March 7 primary, with an eye toward going head-to-head in the November general election. Critical contest Schiff was an assistant U.S. attorney when he beat Republican Assemblywoman Paula Boland in 1996 for the 21st Senate district seat. He helped author legislation aimed at HMO and education reform as well as a bill to complete the Blue Line light-rail extension to Pasadena. Rogan spent years as a deputy district attorney, Municipal Court judge and assemblyman before winning the congressional seat in 1996. He has been aided in his reelection bid by Republican fund-raising aimed at helping House impeachment managers caught in tight races. While most managers are based in Republican-safe districts, Rogan and a couple of others come from districts fairly evenly divided along party lines, putting them in a more vulnerable position as the GOP tries to hold onto its House majority. The race has also become a priority for the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, which is gunning to wrest six seats from GOP control and regain control of the House. “It’s one of the No. 1 seats targeted,” said Art Torres, chair of the California Democratic Party, who once held the same state Senate seat as Schiff. Registration is now 45 percent Democrat and 39 percent Republican, with Democrats gaining another 1 percent to 2 percent each year. Allan Hoffenblum, a former GOP strategist who publishes the Congressional Target Book, said Rogan was almost guaranteed to be a target for the Democrats because of those registration numbers. “Rogan would be targeted even if he didn’t say anything,” Hoffenblum said. “He needs to run his campaign based on personality, style and charisma. He’s got a great story born on welfare, put himself through college and made it.”