Below is the list of tables from the database along with their columns and datatype. Need to generate an accurate SQL query for the question.
Only use the columns present in the respective table. Only use the columns which are required to generate the SQL query. Only use table joins if required and not otherwise.

### Tables ###
TABLE: CREATE TABLE table_19753079_12 (candidates VARCHAR, first_elected VARCHAR)

### Question ###
How many different pairs of candidates were there for the district first elected in 1988?

### Accurate SQL ###

SELECT COUNT(candidates) FROM table_19753079_12 WHERE first_elected = 1988