New Jersey is a solid blue state, has no abortion restrictions whatsoever, isn't religious, etc., yet in 1999, a state law passed that made nude beaches illegal and in 2010, the town council of Asbury Park, a place famous for its rebellious music scene, said no to topless beaches.
New Jersey is the most suburban state in the country, which explains a lot about its politics. Have you ever encountered a suburb that wasn't prudish? Protect the children and all that. But being prudish doesn't mean being conservative on cultural issues otherwise.
For what it's worth, there's a well-known and generally accepted nude beach on Sandy Hook, which is federal land and so outside of state jurisdiction. The difference there as compared to Asbury Park, etc. is that, because it's in a large park, it's far away from where anyone lives, whereas most New Jersey beaches are directly adjacent to developed areas.
