Walters was placed in the National Republican Congressional Committee's (NRCC) "Contender" category of their "Young Guns" program.[15] In September 2014, the NRCC named Walters along with 13 other candidates to their "Vanguard" program.[16] In the non-partisan blanket primary, she came in first place in a field of three candidates, with 45% of the vote. In the general election, she defeated Democratic candidate Drew Leavens with 65% of the vote.[17]