How many candidates were first elected in 1972?
CREATE TABLE table_1341640_11 (candidates VARCHAR, first_elected VARCHAR)
SELECT COUNT(candidates) FROM table_1341640_11 WHERE first_elected = 1972
### Context: CREATE TABLE table_1341640_11 (candidates VARCHAR, first_elected VARCHAR) ### Question: How many candidates were first elected in 1972? ### Answer: SELECT COUNT(candidates) FROM table_1341640_11 WHERE first_elected = 1972