 He won re-election to a new six-year term in 2008.In July 2009, he was named one of five finalists for two open positions on the federal district court in Oregon, but was not chosen as a nominee for the federal court.In January 2012 it was announced that Balmer's fellow justices had selected him to become the new Chief Justice of the court, from May 1, 2012, replacing Paul De Muniz.