PROVIDENCE, R.I. -- Mayoral candidate Steven M. Costantino, a state representative, has $267,274 in his campaign account, after loaning his campaign $150,000 at the end of 2009, according to state campaign finance reports.

Costantino, who announced his run for mayor on Thursday, says he made the personal loan late last year in anticipation of running for political office in 2010, but not mayor.

"I'm not that clairvoyant," said Costantino, who estimated that it would take $750,000 to $1 million to run a campaign for mayor in Providence. At the time he made the loan, Costantino says he was eying a run for state general treasurer.

Costantino is among a number of announced and potential mayoral candidates looking to line up the cash needed to bid for the city's highest office now that incumbent Mayor David N. Cicilline is running for Congress in the First District rather than seeking re-election.

Potential mayoral candidate Joseph R. Paolino, Jr., a former mayor, said on Thursday that he has loaned his inactive campaign account $500,000 this week, but he still says he hasn't made a decision yet on whether to enter the race.

"I've been out of politics for 20 years. I don't have the luxury of fundraising year-round like other candidates. I want to make sure if and when I make my decision that I am in a good position to run a competitive campaign," he said.

City Councilor John J. Lombardi, who announced on Monday his candidacy for mayor, had $34,442 in his campaign account at the end of 2009, after months of fundraising and laying the groundwork for a possible campaign.

Democratic candidate Christopher F. Young, who announced his candidacy nearly a year ago, has not raised any funds to date.