Story highlights A former top adviser to Scott Walker has joined former rival Ted Cruz's campaign

David Polyansky will work out of the Cruz campaign's headquarters in Houston and advise the campaign on policy and communications

Washington (CNN) A former top adviser to Scott Walker has joined former rival Ted Cruz's campaign, the latest move by Cruz to bring Walker's biggest backers into his fold.

David Polyansky, a senior strategist for Walker in Iowa -- a state where Walker led for most of his campaign before his rapid fall this summer -- has joined Cruz's bid in a top role, he said Friday. Polyansky will work out of the campaign's headquarters in Houston, where he also lives, and advise the campaign on policy and communications.

Polyansky has deep experience in the Hawkeye State, including leading Sen. Joni Ernst to victory there last year. In 2008, he helped lead Mike Huckabee to win the state's caucuses.

Polyansky is one of the biggest Cruz converts that he has swayed from Walker's campaign. Immediately after Walker's decision to abruptly leave the race this September, Cruz's campaign said it had poached several of Walker's top grassroots activists, including his entire leadership team in Georgia.

Cruz has maintained a fairly small staff in Houston, but has said he is now prepared to build up his footprint as the first votes approach.