He graduated from Cape Fear Academy in Wilmington in 1983 and earned a bachelor's degree in political science from the University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill in 1987.

In 1994, Ballantine became a member of the North Carolina Senate; starting in 1999, he served as the Republican minority leader.

He originally represented the state's fourth Senate district, focused on New Hanover County, where he resides in Wilmington.

Under North Carolina law, Vinroot could have chosen to seek a runoff; however, he elected not to exercise that option, leaving Ballantine the Republican nominee.

His law partner Woody White was appointed to fill his Senate seat, but was defeated in the general election by Democrat Julia Boseman.