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_1342233_17 ( first_elected VARCHAR, incumbent VARCHAR )

### Question ###
What year was incumbent joe b. bates first elected?

### Accurate SQL ###

SELECT first_elected FROM table_1342233_17 WHERE incumbent = "Joe B. Bates"